LAHORE: The first virtual meeting was held between Punjab Chief Minister Parvez Elahi and IGP Faisal Shahkar here on Thursday.

Police circles took it as a crucial meeting amid apprehensions about replacement of the senior police officers who were posted by the PML-N on key field positions.

An official told Dawn that the IGP conveyed to the chief minister that he would treat all political parties equally. He said Mr Shahkar further conveyed that he didn’t want to indulge himself in any ‘political controversy’ by supporting any political party.

The official said the IGP even offered to the CM that he was ready to be posted at any other suitable place if the government so desired. Parvez Elahi asked the IGP to keep working as the provincial police chief, giving an indication that the matter of his appointment would be discussed at a meeting with PTI chief Imran Khan.

The CM said Imran Khan’s visit was due in Lahore on Thursday but he postponed it, according to the official.

The official said the matters regarding the transfer and postings of the senior field police officers also came under discussion and Mr Shahkar told the CM that the transfers/postings of the police officers ahead of Muharram would be a ‘misadventure’.

Meanwhile, the Punjab government issued transfer and posting order of two more police officers. Gujranwala CPO Ejaz Ahmad was removed from his position and directed to report to the Central Police Office till further order. Attock District Police Officer Umar Farooq Salamat was posted new CPO.

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2022