ISLAMABAD: Several police officials who were reportedly suspended for taking bribes to let visitors enter the Diplomatic Enclave have been reinstated to their previous posts without being held accountable, effectively putting the security of the enclave at risk.

The security of the Diplomatic Enclave which houses a number of embassies, high commissions and foreign missions, was compromised a few months ago after some officials of the security division, including some of them deployed with high-ranking officers, were found involved in taking bribes for allowing entry inside the area. The police officials were exposed by their colleague deployed at one of the entry gates of the enclave, who lodged a complaint in the office of the Inspector General of Police.

Police officers told Dawn all the officials who were suspended and transferred to the Police Lines Headquarters, till the completion of the inquiry, were reinstated and the inquiry was also brushed under the carpet to “save the skins of senior officers”.

Police spokesperson Taqi Jawad, at the time, had said that those mentioned in the complaint were transferred “and closed to the Police Lines Headquarters for further legal action”. However, in his comments to Dawn on Monday, he claimed that none of the officials were suspended or removed from their posts in connection with this issue. “All officials are performing duties at their posts,” he added.

Insiders say inquiry brushed under carpet; PRO contradicts earlier statement, says cops were never suspended

According to the spokesperson, AIG Operations is conducting the inquiry in which five persons, including four police officials who were allegedly involved in the corrupt practice, appeared. The inquiry officer has served show cause notices to the four officials and their reply is awaited to complete the inquiry, he added.

‘Corrupt practices’

According to a report published in April this year, Constable Zahirul Hassan complained to the IGP about the corrupt practice which had put the safety of the high-security zone at great risk, said sources citing the complaint lodged by the constable.

After the complaint, the culprits started threatening the constable and got him posted out of the division.

According to the complainant, he was performing his duty at Gate No. 2 of the Diplomatic Enclave when he discovered that police officials were allowing people to enter the area after taking money.

As per the complaint, the constable was on duty when passengers of a car exiting the gate approached him and offered Rs3,000 as a bribe.

They informed the constable that they had paid Rs3,500 to a man inside the enclave for each visit to the enclave, the sources said citing the complaint. They had offered Rs3,000 to the constable to let them enter the zone the next day because their visit to the Thailand embassy had been unfruitful.

When the constable approached the entry section to inquire about the issue, he was told to let them go since they had permission to enter the enclave, sources said, adding that the same men appeared at Gate No.2 the next day and their names were found on the entry list.

Published in Dawn, May 29th, 2024