June 12, 2008	Thursday	Jamadi-us-Sani 07, 1429

KARACHI, June 11: The Provincial Police Officer of Sindh, Dr Shoaib Suddle, has been tipped as the next federal secretary for the interior following his retirement this month, well placed sources in Islamabad told Dawn.

With the date of his retirement nearing, speculations are circulating whether Dr Suddle would continue as PPO Sindh on extension or whether he would be given some other assignment. Even in the rank and file of the police department, officers are in a quandary over the future plans of their chief.

However, sources in the Establishment Division told Dawn that when Dr Suddle was offered to become provincial police chief of Sindh, he had made it clear that with just two months left in his retirement, it would be inappropriate on his part to accept the offer, particularly when he was not interested in continuing on extension.

Sources said that Dr Suddle was assured by the government that an appropriate solution other than a routine extension would be worked out.

It was due to this understanding and assurance that he would be given a free hand to police the province did Dr Suddle accept the Sindh assignment, sources added.

Sources added that a number of politicians of the ruling PPP are getting frustrated with the PPO Sindh as he has reportedly declined to entertain any political recommendations.

Similarly, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement was perhaps the only party which publicly voiced its concerns against Dr Suddle’s appointment, criticizing his posting as Sindh police chief. His appointment was one of the reasons they cited for initially not joining the provincial government.

Apart from Kamal Shah, who remained IG Sindh from 2002 to 2005, no other officer was able to work as PPO Sindh for even two years.