ISLAMABAD, May 14: The interior ministry has requested for the transfer of two officers, one a deputy inspector general and the other a senior superintendent, to the capital police, sources in police and interior ministry told Dawn.

The demand for the transfer of DIG Wisal Fakhur Sultan and SSP Mehmoodul Hassan was made by the secretary interior to the establishment division under the influence of the caretaker interior minister, sources added. When the establishment division asked the police whether the DIG and SSP were needed, the police replied in the negative.

The DIG is currently posted in the National Motorway and Islamabad Police. He is the brother of the son-in-law of the former principal secretary of Nawaz Sharif, Syed Mahdi, when Mr Sharif was prime minister.

Sources in the police said DIG Sultan may be the next Inspector General of Police or DIG Operations.

Officers who have worked with the Mr Sultan described him as an arrogant but capable officer. He showed interest in policing and also watched his sub-ordinates carefully, the sources added.

DIG Sultan was the CPO of Rawalpindi when four people were killed during a car race in Bahria Town in December 2010, the officers said adding that over the incident, the Supreme Court had taken a Suo moto notice. The SC showed displeasure over the alleged support of Mr Sultan to the race organisers.

About a month ago, the DIG joined NH&MP on promotion and was appointed as the commandant NH&MP Training College in Shaikhupura.

SSP Hassan is working in the Gilgit-Baltistan police, and a senior officer of the capital police who is the SSP’s batch-mate recommended his transfer to the capital police.

Two posts for the SSP ranks (grade 19) have been lying vacant in the Central Police Office (CPO) after two officers were promoted to the DIG rank.

However, despite the two officers being surrendered to the establishment division, notification in this regard is yet to be issued and both SSPs are still with the Islamabad police. Similarly, the DIG Operation seat has been vacant for the past two years.