RAWALPINDI: The Rawalpindi regional police officer (RPO) and city police officer (CPO) were transferred on Wednesday in a major reshuffle of high-ranking police officers by the provincial government.

According to a notification issued by the Services and General Administration Department, former RPO Ahmad Ishaque Jehangir (BPS-20) has been transferred with immediate effect and posted Elite Force deputy inspector general of police (DIG).

Retired Capt Ehsan Tufail (BPS-20), previously DIG Sihala Police College commandant, will replace Mr Jehangir as RPO.

Former Rawalpindi CPO Abbas Ahsan (BPS-20) has been transferred to replace Mr Tufail at his last post, while retired Capt Mohammad Faisal Rana (BPS-20), DIG research and development at the Central Police Office Punjab, will replace Mr Ahsan as Rawalpindi CPO.

Prior to being posted CPO, Mr Ahsan was posted in the National Highway and Motorway Police. He was posted to Rawalpindi when the general election schedule was announced.

The interim government had carried out a high-level reshuffle in the police department and transferred 13 officers, including the RPO, CPO and chief traffic office.

In addition to reshuffling the aforementioned officers, the provincial government has also issued a notification transferring Sheikhupura RPO Abdul Qadir Qayyum (BPS-20) to Mr Rana’s old post. Special Branch VVIP Security DIG Sohail Habib Tajik (BPS-20) has been transferred and posted as Sheikhupura RPO to replace Mr Qayyum.

According to sources, the outgoing Rawalpindi RPO has faced difficulties with administration and implementing his orders during his tenure, apparently because Mr Jehangir and CPO Ahsan were of the same pay scale – BPS-20.

The post of RPO is for BPS-21 officers, while the CPO post is for BPS-20 officers.

The incoming RPO and CPO are also BPS-20 officers.

The RPO recently wrote to the CPO seeking recommendations for promotions to the rank of sub-inspector. In his letter to the outgoing CPO, the RPO had said that he had been awaiting the recommendations for the last two weeks despite having sent two reminders.

He said a considerable amount of time had lapsed, adding that this was a court matter. The concerned assistant director and concerned officers were asked to attend the office with recommendations on May 7, but neither had done so thus far.

He said it was therefore once again requested that the same may be sent to his office on or before May 15. In case of non-compliance, he said the matter would be brought to the notice of the RPO welfare to initiate departmental action against the concerned assistant director and officer.

Published in Dawn, May 16th, 2019