ISLAMABAD: The recently established public relations cell in the inspector general of police (IGP) office was disbanded on Monday.

Officials in the police told Dawn on the condition of anonymity that after assuming the charge in April, IGP Tariq Masood Yasin created the cell and appointed Inspector Tahir Memood Khan and Sub-Inspector Shams Gill as his spokesmen. But a few weeks ago, the IGP called the two officials in his office and expressed displeasure over their performance.

The officials said on Friday last the IGP expressed his annoyance over the media reporting of the death of SSP Ashar Hameed.

The IGP again called the PROs and told them that the cell was no longer needed. Shortly afterward, Inspector Khan was transferred to the legal branch and SI Gill was asked to stop working as the PRO. And on Monday, SI Gill was transferred to the Kohsar police station.

SSP Hameed was working with the IGP as an assistant inspector general (operation) but in June he was surrendered to the establishment division on the recommendation of the IGP.

Some police officials were of the view that Mr Hameed was a cardiac patient and circumstances were created for him under which he suffered the fatal cardiac attack.

Later, in a social media post, the IGP stated: “Soon I will share the details and show the real faces who used this incident for their vested interests to deprive the citizens of the fruits of reforms that are being introduced in the ICT police on a very fast pace.”

The IGP said: “His (Hameed’s) family is one of our close relatives and his father-in-law is an old friend of mine and it was indeed one of the most shocking and painful events of my life. I know all conspirators will vanish and it will be only me who will look after his family,” he added.

The statement was also criticised by some colleagues of the IGP. “Why the IGP surrendered Mr Hameed to the establishment division if he was so close to him,” they said.

When contacted, the former spokesman for the IGP, Inspector Khan, said he had made a request for his transfer due to some family issues.

SI Gill said: “I am a government official and it makes no difference whether I work in the IGP office or any other unit of the police.”

Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2016