THE recent tiff between the CCPO Lahore and the inspector-general of Punjab police has finally ended with the latter removed from his position. Whatever the reasons, the musical chairs the PTI government has been playing since coming to power is no less interesting than the ‘Game of Thrones’. One wonders how the police top brass will find time to give attention to their duty when all the time they are preparing to exit.

Since the PTI government came to power, Shoaib Dastgir is the fifth IGP to exit from his position. This is despite the fact that the prime minister recently termed him a commendable officer.

Bureaucratic reforms are essential to give strength to the crippled structure. However, what is more essential is the political reforms to make sure the politicians do not consider these public servants pawns in a chess game to be moved on the chessboard to safeguard their own personal interests.

The police force is meant to ensure law and order. Such reckless shuffling in the most populated province will only add to the people’s distrust of the police force.

Muhammad Ali Falak

Texas, USA

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SHOAIB Dastgir’s removal as the IGP, Punjab, hasn’t come as a shock as he is the fifth officer to be removed from office. But this does raise some questions about the provincial government headed by Chief Minister Usman Buzdar.

This development comes just a few days after Prime Minister Imran Khan acknowledged Dastgir’s competence. In the light of these facts, it is clear that the issue does not lie with the officers, but with the inconsistency and u-turns executed by the prime minister and his administration

Abdullah Siddiqui

Karachi

Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2020