RAWALPINDI: Police have been directed to ensure arrest of suspects nominated as accused in heinous crimes, narcotics and arms cases and to initiate departmental action against delinquent investigating officers (IOs) for failing to apprehend at-large accused.

More than 11,900 accused are nominated in the cases across Punjab, including 595, wanted by police in heinous crimes, narcotics and arms cases in Rawalpindi.

In a communication to all City Police Officers (CPOs) and District Police Officers (DPOs) across the province, the additional inspector general of police (AIG) Investigation Branch expresses concern over the unsatisfactory efforts by the police to arrest the accused nominated in heinous crimes, narcotics and arms cases, as many are still at large.

While no meaningful efforts have been made by the Investigating Officers (IOs) and the supervisory tier has also not sensitised the IOs concerned, the AIG said.

The AIG also sent a list of the accused nominated in the cases to the CPOs and DPOs, directing them to issue orders to SDPOs, SHOs and IOs to ensure the arrest of at-large accused in heinous, narcotics and arms cases.

Published in Dawn, December 18th, 2025