RAWALPINDI: Following reports implicating 45 Punjab police officials in drug smuggling activities, ranging from the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) to constables, the Punjab police chief has directed all divisional and district police chiefs to take immediate action and submit a report.

In response to the IGP’s directives, City Police Officer Rawalpindi Syed Khalid Hamdani has appointed SSP Operations Hafiz Kamran Asghar as the inquiry officer tasked with identifying and investigating officers involved in drug smuggling.

A directive from AIG Operations Zahid Nawaz addressed to the City Police Officer Rawalpindi and CPOs/DSPs across the province, mandates swift action against the officers involved in the drug smuggling activities.

The provincial police chief has also sought a detailed report on the actions taken and the outcomes thereof.

Details including the names, designations, department, CNIC, mobile phone number, place of posting and action taken against the accused have been sent to the district police chiefs. Among those involved are two sub-inspectors of Rawalpindi police, one serving as the SHO and the other posted in the Police Lines Headquarters.

Other individuals involved include a former DSP Anti-Narcotics Unit district Lahore and his driver, a sub-inspector from the Special Branch in Hafizabad and another from the Special Protection Unit (SPU) Punjab.

Many of these officials were posted in various police stations, including those holding significant positions such as SHO despite their alleged involvement in drug smuggling.

According to the list provided to CPOs and other senior police officials, six police officials, including one head constable and five constables were posted in Gujranwala while seven police officials belonged to Attock. As many as fourteen police officials allegedly involved in drug smuggling belong to Pakpattan, eight posted in Muzaffargarh, two in Bahawalpur, one in R.Y Khan, two belonging to Lahore police, one SHO posted in Mian Channu (Khanewal) and one in Hafizabad.

Published in Dawn, July 11th, 2024