0
LAHORE, Jan 15: In a surprising move, the Punjab government on Monday changed the command of Lahore police. Capital City police chief additional IG Khwaja Khalid Farooq and DIG (Operations) Aamir Zulfikar Khan were transferred and replaced by Sheikhupura Range DIG Anwar Virk and CM’s personal staff officer Aftab Ahmed Cheema, respectively.
Mr Farooq was transferred and posted as the Punjab constabulary commandant in place of Muhammad Waseem who was made an officer on special duty.
Mr Zulfikar was transferred and posted in the special branch.
Some sources in the police department describe the changes an outcome of the deteriorating law and order in the provincial capital. There are others who believe that the reshuffle is more to do with next elections.
“Two junior officials have been given grade 21 and 20 posts in the presence of a number of senior and competent officials. How can one say that the change is the fallout of the poor law and order?” sources said.
According to them, Mr Cheema, who has already served Lahore as SSP (Operations), is very close to the chief minister.
OUTGOING OFFICIALS: Mr Farooq and Mr Zulfikar were replaced at a time when Lahore was hit by two major crimes -– the killing of an additional advocate general and the shooting of a DIG in a robbery bid.
The sources further said Mr Farooq, who served for a year and Mr Zulfikar who remained the operations police chief for 20 months, did not enjoy good relations owing to former’s dictating attitude.
“The lack of coordination between the two officers, interference in postings of SHOs of choice and centralisation of power affected the police performance,” said a senior police source seeking anonymity.
According to sources, the other reasons behind the move could be growing street crime and increasing Supreme Court’s independent actions against police.
“Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz also took note of rising street crime and police failure in Karachi and Lahore,” the sources said.
