E/CN.4/1997/7/Add.2 page 22 83. The law and order situation appears to have shown some improvement during the first few months of 1996. Statistics provided by the Government show that only 32 persons were killed in law and order incidents during the month of February, in contrast to 163 deaths during the same month in 1995. From the highest level of 276 deaths in June 1995, the number of deaths has decreased each month. That the city of Karachi was able to host the World Cup cricket matches without major incident during the Special Rapporteur’s visit is a reflection of the fact that some semblance of law and public order has returned to the city of Karachi. However, the Special Rapporteur must reiterate that he continues to receive credible reports of torture and extrajudicial killings perpetrated by the police and Rangers. V. QUESTION OF IMPUNITY 84. Although the Government of Pakistan has taken some positive steps to improve the situation of human rights within the country, such as the creation of the Ministry for Human Rights, the ratification of the Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the partial abolition of flogging, there appears to be a lack of real political will to address the issue of impunity. The Special Rapporteur has received no information to demonstrate any serious effort on the part of the Government to reform the police or judicial systems or to prosecute those responsible for abuse. 85. Provincial powers of appointment, promotion and deployment of police and prison personnel are not subject to institutional systems designed to promote competence, integrity, efficiency and adherence to the rule of law. It is generally understood that corruption is rife. Many of the notoriously underpaid and ill-trained personnel are generally thought to make ends meet by extorting money from those over whom they have power. It is commonly asserted that the jobs of such personnel, ranging from police recruits to station house officers, from prison guards to jail superintendents, can be bought, with the return on investment coming from the opportunities provided by unlawful enrichment. 86. In Karachi, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police provided the Special Rapporteur with statistics on internal disciplinary action taken against police from January 1995 to 1 March 1996. During that period a total of 179 cases were registered against the police. In 51 cases the policemen were dismissed from the police force, 50 received "major punishments" and 40 received "minor" punishments. However, none were prosecuted for their violations. This is consistent with information the Special Rapporteur received from other sources. There appears to be a conviction on the part of police and government officials that administrative disciplinary measures such as dismissal, demotion and transfer are sufficient punishment for police and security officials who have abused their authority. Although the Government has stated its commitment to prosecute any officer found responsible for crimes such as torture, to the Special Rapporteur’s knowledge none have been convicted. 87. The Special Rapporteur was informed that judicial magistrates are supposed to make regular visits to places of detention to ensure humane conditions and treatment of detainees. However, during his visit to Lahore