LAHORE: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently expressed dissatisfaction with the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) police’s investigative capabilities, particularly in handling high-profile cases related to violent protests by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) at D-Chowk in the last week of November.

An official source says the prime minister showed concerns at poor investigative skills of the ICT police, mentioning the risk of evidence mismanagement and flawed investigations.

During a high-level meeting, the prime minister called on Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Usman Anwar to deploy one of the Punjab police officers to lead the ICT investigation team.

In response, the IGP has recommended Lahore’s Organised Crime Unit (OCU) DIG Imran Kishwar to work with the ICT police’s investigation wing.

Sources say Imran Kishwar was selected for this role for his prior experience in high-stakes investigations.

For example, he previously led joint investigation teams (JITs) probing the cases related to the May 9 riots in Lahore.

He headed investigations into 22 cases, including incidents at Zaman Park and other locations, involving Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, senior leadership and party workers.

There are also question marks on his work as most of the cases have yet to reach the conclusion.

An official said that to assist the ICT police, Kishwar chaired two meetings online and dispatched a team of seasoned inspectors, including retired officers, to Islamabad.

Inspector Muhammad Aslam and Sub-Inspector Alam Langrial are also among the members of the team and the retired inspectors are Muhammad Sarwar and Muhammad Sadiq.

Mr Kishwar identified 25 key points to prepare drafts and strong reports of the investigations of the cases registered against PTI activists.

The team’s mandate included drafting strong investigation reports, handling evidence, recording witness statements, and establishing links between the accused and the alleged crimes.

Kishwar also provided detailed guidance on forensic sampling, damage assessment, call detail record analysis, geo-location verification and crime scene mapping.

When the prime minister ordered to involve Punjab police during a cabinet meeting, senior officials, including Establishment Secretary Inamullah Dharejo and the IGP deliberated on the transfer of Kishwar to Islamabad.

Insiders say the IGP opposed a formal transfer and suggested instead that Kishwar retain his post in Punjab while assisting ICT police. The meeting endorsed the recommendation.

Earlier, Mr Kishwar was working as DIG Investigation. His transfer to the post of DIG OCU Lahore stirred controversy.

Sources revealed that the Punjab IGP had replaced Kishwar with DIG Zeeshan Ashgar, despite the objections of Lahore police chief Bilal Siddique Kamyana.

Published in Dawn, December 12th, 2024