LAHORE: The Punjab Police department has taken strict notice of the allegations made and threats hurled by US-based Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Dr Shehbaz Gill, against Lahore Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Investigation, Dr Anoosh Masood Chaudhry, on a social media platform.

Dr Gill posted a picture of the SSP and hurled threats at her in his post on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), prompting a swift response from the Punjab Police.

Dr Gill in his post accused SSP Anoosh of lacking moral courage to refuse “illegal orders” for action against “innocent” (PTI) women activists, saying she would be held accountable for this. He also alleged that the police officer did all this just to get a lucrative posting.

SSP Chaudhry has been lauded for her work in various capacities, including her current role as Investigation SSP of Lahore.

In response to the allegations, the Punjab Police on its official ‘X’ handle stated, “The Punjab Police has taken strict notice of the unmerited and unwarranted defamatory allegations and threat of physical harm levelled by Dr Shahbaz Gill against its senior police official, namely Dr Anoosh Masood Chaudhry, SSP (Inv), Lahore. Dr Gill’s statement, inciting gender-based-violence against a decorated police official and exploitation of religious references to achieve such nefarious aims is highly reprehensible.

The Punjab Police will lodge its formal protest with the United States Embassy and other relevant officials of the United States government as well as request and initiate appropriate (civil and criminal) proceedings against Dr Shahbaz Gill in Pakistan and the United States in accordance with law.”

However, the nature of the action to be taken against Dr Gill has not been made clear in the Punjab Police’s response.

The Punjab Police have reiterated its commitment to maintaining law and order and ensuring the safety and respect of its officers. It has also dismissed allegations of any mistreatment of persons in police custody.

Published in Dawn, February 18th, 2024