KARACHI: In an ongoing process, the Sindh police with the help of the country’s three intelligence agencies have identified some 1,000 policemen, including some senior officers, allegedly involved in criminal acts.

An official privy to the process initiated months ago said that it was aimed at identifying each and every policeman involved in “undesirable acts while serving in the police department”.

He explained that the conduct of every policeman was being reviewed to ascertain whether he was involved or associated with any criminal activity. Their past and present affiliations were also being taken into account, the official added.

Maintaining that the police were taking action against the black sheep in the department, Inspector General of Police Ghulam Hyder Jamali told Dawn on Tuesday that very soon those senior police officers who were involved in any illegal or criminal activity would be targeted.

He conceded that only the special branch of the Sindh police but the country’s intelligence agencies, including the Inter Services Intelligence and Intelligence Bureau, were also part of the process to compile and review the records of policemen having any criminal history.

“The process is for policemen across Sindh,” IGP Jamali said. “Apart from the special branch, which is keeping an eye on police officials’ record and activities, we are also being assisted by three federal intelligence agencies in this process under which we have so far identified 1,000 personnel across the province and initiated action against them.”

When asked whether Pakistan Rangers, Sindh, had sent a letter to the police authorities for action against certain officers for their alleged involvement in criminal activities, he said the letter was received a few months ago.

“Action against such personnel and officers has already been initiated. Under the defined procedure, we can take action against constables and inspector rank officers. But we have to send recommendations to the home department for taking action against DSP rank and above officers. Such requests have already been moved.”

Meanwhile, chairing a meeting at the Central Police Office (CPO), the IGP ordered the authorities concerned not to post the officers who had been suspended and then restored after inquiries at important places.

He said DIGs and police officers of good reputation should be given responsibilities so that the citizens coming to register complaints could be helped well.

“The police officers [suspended for] having criminal record and then restored should not be given any important posting,” IGP Jamali said.

The meeting was attended by the additional IGs and zonal DIGs of Karachi. The DIGs of Sukkur, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Shaheed Benazirabad and Larkana also participated in the meeting through a video link.

Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2015

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