ISLAMABAD: The law enforcement hierarchy in the capital was jolted once again on Thursday when the restoration orders of seven previously-suspended police officers – issued at the request of newly appointed Inspector General Tahir Alam Khan – were withdrawn by the Ministry of Interior on Thursday night.

The officers were accused of negligence in a probe constituted to investigate how a group of Sikh protesters managed to trespass into Parliament House in May of this year.

Also read: Inquiry raps police, admin over stormy Sikh protest

IG Tahir Alam had reportedly lobbied with Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and the Interior Secretary Shahid Khan.

He reasoned that Islamabad police was severely short of supervisory officers, while those who were available for active duty were reluctant to take action against protesters on Constitution Avenue.

Over the past few weeks, the capital’s police force has been witnessing a leadership crisis, as two IGs and a senior superintendent of police (SSP) have already been removed and one SSP has proceeded on leave after a reported disagreement with his superiors. In addition, one SP refused to take charge as an SSP, and SP Traffic Asmatullah Junejo only managed half a day on the job before being injured in clashes with protesters on Constitution Avenue.

In view of this situation, the newly-arrived IG asked the ministry to reinstate the officers who had been suspended pending an investigation into the Sikhs’ breach of parliament,

The IG also asked that two other officers, who were suspended following police highhandedness against demonstrators from the Defence of Human Rights group in April of this year, be reinstated as well.

A total of eight officers were suspended over the Sikh issue, but Inspector Abdul Rehman was reinstated within a few days and appointed SHO Kohsar Police Station. It is said that his brother, a constable in the Punjab police, is one of the personnel deputed to protect Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. Sources in the police department said that Inspector Rehman’s immediate reinstatement had been expedited through his brother’s influence.

During a meeting, held at the Security Division in the Diplomatic Enclave on Monday night, the IGP concluded that most personnel were demoralised.

On Thursday, following their restoration, DSP Fida Hussain Satti was appointed as SDPO Industrial Area; DSP Mohammad Hussain Lasi was made SDPO Secretariat, and DSP Arshad Mehmood was made DSP Security.

However, even as these officers resumed their duties, a late night notification from the ministry cancelled the earlier notification, restoring the officers.

“Immediately, the IG approached the ministry to establish why the orders had been cancelled. He was told that the decision came from the minister himself,” sources told Dawn. The IG is now said to have requested their temporary reinstatement.

Published in Dawn, September 05th, 2014