Refusal to 'use force' on protesters: SSP Nekokara reinstated after two years

The officer's appeal against his dismissal was accepted by the prime minister, says notification

ISLAMABAD: Two years after his removal from service for refusing to "use force" on protesters during the 120-day sit in by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT), SSP Mohammad Ali Nekokara was reinstated on Thursday.

The officer was suspended in 2014 and removed from service a year later on the grounds of charges including "inefficiency and misconduct" during the sit-in against the alleged systematic rigging. The officer had reportedly refused to stop and remove protesters after they advanced to Constitution Avenue.

A notification issued by the Establishment Division stated that the officer's appeal against his dismissal had been accepted by the Prime Minister, leading to his exoneration. It added that the intervening period would be considered as leave.

According to the inquiry report released on April 2, 2015, Nekokara could not produce evidence he received verbal instructions authorising the use of force. It also termed the officer's claims "deliberate misrepresentation of facts."



The report cited "available evidence" that no police official was directed to initiate the use of force and even the use of "retaliatory force" was only allowed in defence of life and property.

Nekokara was dismissed for ‘inefficiency and misconduct’ on April 2, 2015, in line with the recommendation of the inquiry committee.