Law and order: CM comes down hard on Pirabad police officers

During surprise visit, Shah fails to find any officer patrolling the area.

KARACHI: An irked Sindh chief minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has ordered action against irresponsible police officers in Pirabad, an area plagued by extortion and street crime.

During a late-night visit to the neighbourhood, Shah failed to find even a single policeman patrolling the area. A majority of the cops were missing from their pickets as well.

On reaching the Pirabad police station, he realised that the policemen, including investigation officers and wireless operators, were nowhere to be seen. The station house officer in plain clothes was found engaged in idle chat with some friends, which forced the provincial chief to order strict action against him and other officers.

Shah also inspected the lock-ups, inquired about the people in custody, checked the roznamcha [daily entry book] and reviewed the cases registered at the station.

Later, speaking to the media, Shah said that he was not satisfied with the performance of the police. “The SHO was missing from the station from Wednesday morning and arrived suddenly after getting information about my visit. His staff is following suit by shirking from their duties.” Given several complaints, Shah had ordered security to be beefed up in the area but negligent officers flouted his orders, he added.

Irrespective of their political affiliations, these officers will be penalsied, he stressed. “I have given a free hand to the IGP who can now transfer SP to SHO level officers. No one will interfere in his job.”

The provincial chief also visited the Boat Basin food street, where he discussed the law and order situation with the shopkeepers. He was accompanied by Sindh information minister Sharjeel Inam Memon and Sindh PPP secretary information Waqar Mehdi. “I have come out on the roads to build the confidence of citizens and inquire about their problems,” Shah said.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 14^th, 2013.