ISLAMABAD: The capital police chief on Monday received a letter from the office of chief commissioner seeking explanation for exercising the power of the commissioner, officials of the capital administration told Dawn on Monday.

According to them, an order, issued from the office of the Inspector General of Police, Tariq Masood Yasin, and signed by AIG Establishment Mohammad Suleman, stated: “The following officers of Islamabad police are hereby allowed to look after the official work of the posts as mentioned against their names in addition to their own duties: Dr Farhan Zahid, PSP, AIG Operation was allowed to look after the duties of AIG General and Ms Arsala Salim, PSP, ASP/SDPO Saddar, was allowed to look after the duties of SP Saddar Zone.”

The chief commissioner is empowered to appoint and transfer grade 17 to 20 officers of the Islamabad police, the officials stated, adding in this regard recommendation and summery to appoint the officers on a certain post is sent to him from the office of the IGP, which is always approved by the commissioner.

But notification or order for appointments, transfers, given current, acting and additional charge was always issued from the office of the chief commissioner, they stated.

Police chief is accused of trespassing on the commissioner’s domain

However, the IGP appointed the two officers and issued order in this regard on March 3, they stated, adding the chief commissioner Zulfikar Haider took notice of the issue and issued an explanation letter to the IGP.

The explanation letter stated: “It has been learnt that the IGP has issued posting/transfer order of AIG Operation as AIG General and an Assistant Superintendent of Police has been posted as SP Sadar Zone, in violation of relevant Rules.

“The competent authority has taken a serious notice of the irregularity,” the letter stated, adding that “In view of the above you are required to explain under what compelling circumstances, the order under reference has been issued by your office, bypassing the competent authority.

“The order under reference is hereby held in abeyance in the public interest till further orders and the officers concerned may be directed to remain at their previous place of posting,” the letter added.

The Chief Commissioner also brought the irregularity in the notice of interior minister and secretary, the official added.

When the IGP came to know about the displeasure showed by the chief commissioner, he moved a summery to chief commissioner office, seeking appointment of two officers on the said posts.

Chief Commissioner Zulfikar Haider was not available for his comments over the issue despite several attempts.

Published in Dawn, March 7th, 2017