LAHORE: The Punjab government has allowed Inspector General of Police Amjad Javed Saleemi to attend one-week training course in the United Kingdom on the latest techniques for investigation into terrorism and organised crime.

Starting from today (Jan 5), the ‘Open CTD Investigation Officers Course’ will end on Jan 12 and the Punjab government issued a no objection certificate (NOC) in this regard. Additional IG Counter Terrorism Department Punjab Muhammad Tahir Rai will also be accompanying him in the course.

According to a notification issued by Services & General Administration Department, both the senior police officers were allowed to attend the training course abroad, subject to no financial obligations on the part of the Punjab government. An official termed the permission to the head of the Punjab Police to attend training course abroad a rare step. Since the course was meant for the officers of the CTD, many of his colleagues were bewildered on the decision of the IGP to attend the same, he added.

According to the earlier practice, only those senior police officers were preferred for such kind of training courses whose retirement was not due in the near future. On the other hand, the official, who did not want to be named, said Mr Saleemi was attaining the age of superannuation after 11 months.

The official added that the selection of some police officer from those serving in BPS-21 would have been the most appropriate for the course as he would have shared his experience and knowledge for a long time.

During his stay in the UK, the IGP would also visit the College of Policing, UK, to study training modules of the UK Police. He will also meet the Chief Constable to discuss issues of mutual interest.

Published in Dawn, January 5th, 2019