HONEST and conscientious police officers are constantly at war in Pakistan, not only against criminal mafias but also against the illegal and unlawful commands of their superiors that include some spineless bureaucrats and unfair politicians.

A case in point is the recent dismissal of former SSP Operations Mohammad Ali Nekokara of Islamabad Police. With a 19-year unblemished career record, Nekokara was rightly chosen to serve in the capital. He was transferred from Punjab, where police morale was at its lowest due to the Model Town fiasco created by police at the behest of the political and bureaucratic command. Islamabad Police found themselves facing a similar situation when PTI/PAT activists arrived from Lahore for the prolonged sit-in at D-Chowk, Islamabad.

Public order handling, as per law and police rules, is the responsibility of the district magistracy and police. But the minister and the secretary interior took command of operational police matters and started dictating orders to junior police officers, thus showing lack of confidence in their senior commanders. On Aug 22, the then IG Islamabad Aftab Cheema lodged a formal protest to this effect with the secretary interior and sought his transfer for having lost the trust of the minister; he was relieved the same day.

Nekokara’s dismissal has created despondency amongst the police.

Although SSP Nekokara, as a responsible and conscientious officer, continued to perform his duties, he insisted that use of force against peaceful protesters would be counterproductive and reiterated his professional view in a meeting with the interior secretary on Aug 26 following which he submitted the following statement: “While I am committed to protecting lives, I regret I will not be able to use force against the protesters mainly because I am convinced that (a) it will lead to killings and a tragedy similar to or worse than Model Town; and (b) it will backfire and be more disadvantageous for our democratic system.”

He was assured that force would not be used against peaceful protesters. Accordingly, he issued written instructions on Aug 27 to the force under his command to carry out their duties only in accordance with law and rules while shunning the use of unnecessary force.

On Aug 30, PAT/PTI protesters violated their undertaking to remain peaceful, breaching parliament’s parameter fence and marching towards PM House. At this, the deputy commissioner and SSP Nekokara took strong action, including tear gas and baton charge, under orders lawfully conveyed by the magistrates on duty.

Next day, after most of the estimated 30,000 protesters had dispersed from D-Chowk, Nekokara was ordered to use force to remove the remaining 4,000 or so. The officer could not take it anymore and wrote to the acting IG: “Last night the decision to use force was taken which has caused loss to the people as well as the police. I feel continued use of force will lead to even more loss. This policy is beneficial neither for the public nor for the police. I cannot use force against the protestors in the given situation.”

He requested to be posted out. However, the acting IG asked him to continue performing his duties in accordance with the law and rules. That should have ended the matter but the political masters decided to teach him a lesson. Disciplinary proceedings were initiated and the officer was dismissed on March 31, 2015.

I am so disappointed by this harsh punishment. Many of us as police officers used to differ with the government of the day on policies and professional matters, for which we would at the most be exiled to a far-off posting or made an OSD which meant getting paid while doing nothing. But this time the penalty is not commensurate with the offender’s perceived misconduct. By dismissing him, the message to the police is loud and clear: do whatever you are asked to do. Never dare to differ again.

The police are expected to play a major role in combating terrorism with courage and commitment. A force with a low morale can never win battles. The politically unwise, hasty and harsh treatment meted out to SSP Nekokara has created despondency amongst the police officers. They feel disgusted at the price an officer has paid for his professionalism and courage of conviction. By weakening this important pillar of the state, the government may end up undermining democracy and the rule of law itself.

Some tough truths need to be faced. Here is an honest and bold police officer pitted against politicians wanting to teach him a lesson for having the courage to say ‘no’ to unlawful orders. Let there be no doubt that the truth will triumph and the law will have the last laugh but people at large will also judge who is the victim and the villain of the piece. I rest my case.

The writer is a retired police officer.

Published in Dawn, April 12th, 2015

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