LAHORE, Aug 15: The Punjab government transferred on Friday Okara SSP Aslam Tareen, considered a friend of Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali, on the direction of the chief minister.

Mr Tareen was replaced by Special Branch SP Kanwar Shahrukh.

The chief minister got angry when the SSP had directed removal of the plaque fixed by him at the Hujra Shah Muqeem Press Club building minutes ago during his visit to Okara on Aug 10.

The prime minister had went to the residence of Mr Tareen during a recent visit to Okara asking him for any favour. In response the SSP had demanded Rs2 billion for Punjab police and Rs20 million for Okara which the prime minister had immediately sanctioned.

Sources in police department said the transfer of Mr Tareen had demoralized many officers because they felt that he had fallen victim to conspiracies of some Okara political figures who were not happy with him.

The SSP was an honest officer and had always resisted illegal demands and recommendations by certain political figures of the area, sources claimed.

They claimed that some time ago he had refused to accommodate a demand by a federal minister and finally a rapprochement was effected between them by the Rangers director-general.

Sources said many police officers were now pondering how to resist unnecessary demands and recommendations of those who matter these days after the transfer of Mr Tareen who was considered a strong officer because of his links with the prime minister.