GUJRAT: In the new district structure, the Wazirabad district is short of assistant sub-inspectors (ASIs) and sub-inspectors (SIs).

According to official sources, there were 48 ASIs, SIs, and inspectors in the Wazirabad police circle before the district status, but there are now just 28 officers, mostly working in the investigation, watch, and ward sections.

The remaining 20 officers have been sent to the Gujranwala police.

Up to 150 constables and head constables were handed over to the Wazirabad district, as the most of them are Wazirabad district residents.

The new district needs more ASIs and SIs

The district police force in Wazirabad is 570 strong, yet the district is short 150 personnel.

The district is yet to be assigned a district police officer (DPO), as Gujrat DPO Ghazanfar Shah is also in charge of Wazirabad, and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Malik Amir is the district’s sole DSP. He stated that the issue of a police officer shortage had been communicated to top officers.

The Punjab government incorporated Wazirabad into Gujrat division following its separation from Gujranwala division.

Gujrat division includes Gujrat, Mandi Bahauddin, Hafizabad, and Wazirabad.

Published in Dawn, December 19th, 2022