Under the command of its Inspector General (IG), it administers all criminal cases under the Police Acts of 1861 and 2002.

The force was introduced in its modern form under British rule, and a colonial influence continues.

Zamindars were responsible for apprehending disturbers of the public peace and performing other policing duties.

In large towns, functionaries known as kotwals combined law enforcement, municipal administration and revenue collection.

The old mohalladari[definition needed] system was reintroduced with each mahallah, or neighborhood subdivision, placed under the charge of one of its members.

The British administration relieved the zamindars of responsibility for police service, and introduced magistrates with daroghas and other subordinate officers.

Due to the importance of the issue, the central government appointed a commission to investigate policing in British India.

The East and West Pakistan DIGs reported to an IG who, during the 1950s, was Qurban Ali Khan.

The Pakistan police's legal framework underwent a major change as a consequence of the Devolution of Power Plan, which was implemented between 2001 and 2006.

The plan devolved much provincial-governmental authority and functions to the districts, and introduced public accountability of the police.

Initially identified as a robber, he was an unarmed civilian who had had an affair with a relative of the Gujranwala District deputy superintendent of police and left the country.

[10][11] The change had a mixed reaction; the government said that it had consulted professional designers, but the new uniform has been criticized as dull and less attractive.