LAHORE, May 26: SP Athar Waheed, who was made OSD by the Punjab government a week ago, assumed charge as Model Town SP (operations) on Saturday.

The provincial chief executive, in what appears to be a political move keeping in view the tussle between PPP and PML-N, ordered Mr Waheed’s posting in Lahore on Friday evening.

Mr Waheed, who was earlier Sadar SP (operations), was made OSD by the provincial police chief after a clash between prime minister’s security staff and policemen at Virtual University’s convocation at Johar Town Expo Center. He was made OSD after Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, who was chief guest at the convocation, took notice of the incident and directed the Punjab governor to order action against the responsible police officers. Police said prime minister’s security staff Tallat had stopped Mustafa Town SHO Mustaneer Ahmad and then the SP when they tried to reach the stage where the PM was sitting. He also abused the SHO. SP Waheed later asked Tallat to apologise to the SHO, however, he said he had done nothing wrong and would not do it. This led to a brawl between the two sides and Tallat was arrested by the police. However, he was released after some time.

A source told Dawn that Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif called the SP to his Jati Umra residence on Friday evening and inquired about details of the incident.

Realising that Mr Waheed shouldn’t have been made OSD, the CM said he was going to post him again in Lahore. He said a notification in this regard was issued in late hours of Friday.

According to the notification, SP Athar Waheed has been posted Model Town SP (operations) vice SP Maroof Safdar Wahla who has been transferred and posted Cantonment SP (operations).

Cantonment SP (Operations) Imtiaz Sarwar has been transferred and directed to report to the Punjab Police Headquarters.

The source said SP Waheed was earlier considered for the post of Cantonment SP (operations), but the CM was told that his posting in Cantonment, which witnesses frequent VVIP movements from Islamabad and PM’s weekly arrival, could irk Mr Gilani after the arrest of his security staff.

The CM then decided to appoint Mr Waheed to Model Town division. Mr Sharif lives in H-Block, Model Town and often presides over meetings there.