LAHORE: The Punjab inspector general of police (IGP) on Tuesday admitted before the Supreme Court that there were serious flaws in the scrutiny of appointments made in the police department.

IGP Mushtaq Ahmad Sukhera and other high officials of police appeared before a two-judge bench of the SC in connection with the hearing of the department’s appeal against an order of the Lahore High Court that reinstated 62 personnel.

The department had dismissed the personnel from service for their involvement in criminal activities.

Headed by Justice Ijaz Ahmad Chaudhry, the bench expressed concern over the appointment of criminals in the police department. The judge said if the department would continue with the defective appointment system, terrorists and agents of RAW, Indian spy agency, could easily join it.

The IGP said recruitment with no proper scrutiny of the candidates was a grave negligence on the part of department. He said the record of recruitment was being computerised to counter appointment of criminals and bogus degree holders.

He also admitted that the department failed to contest properly the stay orders obtained by terminated personnel.

The bench suspended the order of the LHC and directed the IGP to submit a report about inquiries into bogus appointments within a fortnight.

Published in Dawn, September 2nd, 2015

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