KARACHI, Feb 28: A scrutiny of all those police officials, who got out-of-turn promotions during the past four years, may begin next week after collection of relevant information regarding each such individual, well-placed sources in the police department told Dawn on Tuesday.

They said that a form had been dispatched from the provincial police office to all regional officers and the Capital City Police Officer seeking comprehensive information about those officials and officers who were given out-of-turn promotions from the year 2002 to February 2006. All the heads of three regions in Sindh were asked to submit detailed information about each such individual within two days to the IG Sindh office.

Sources said that the form contained columns such as name, rank, grounds on which the promotion was given and name of the officer who recommended the promotion.

They said that after collection of all information, scrutiny would be carried out and if anyone found promoted out-of-turn without meeting the criteria, would be demoted to his previous rank.

Earlier, Sindh IG Jehangir Mirza had said the most deserving out-of-turn promotion cases should be forwarded to the Central Police Office after due scrutiny supported by documentary evidence.

According to a press release, the IG expressed hope that all senior officers were expected to comply with the directive regardless of any pressure in the larger interests of police department.

Mr Mirza pointed out that ever since he took over the charge, the most important issue, which came to his notice was about “out-of-turn promotions”. In the recent past, he observed, a large number of junior officers were given out-of-turn promotions in all ranks.