GUJRAT: At least three key posts in Gujrat police, including investigation and headquarters superintendents of police (SP), have been lying vacant for long.

The district police has been facing a dearth of officials even at the police station-level in the wake of reversal of out-of-turn promotions following a Supreme Court decision.

The post of SP (headquarters) had been vacated two months ago following the transfer of Kamran Mumtaz, who was posted as Gujranwala Saddar SP.

The post of SP (investigation) had been lying vacant for one-and-a-half years after the then SP Muhammad Riaz retired from service.

SP Mumtaz had previously held the additional charge of SP (investigation).

The all-important seat of Kharian sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) has also been lying vacant for more than three months. While Lalamusa Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Hashim Gujjar was given the additional charge of the post, it has created a lot of problems in operational and investigation matters.

The post of Gujrat DSP (headquarters) is also vacant for long and must be filled immediately, as the DSP looks after matters relating to police lines and training.

An official of the district police said the dearth of officials in Gujrat police had been causing a negative impact on the overall performance of police.

The district whose population had increased up to three million should be given another SP for operations in addition to the headquarters and investigation SPs.

District Police Officer Sohail Zafar Chattha has made several attempts seeking posting of officials on the vacant seats, but to no avail.

Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2016