Policing tough task during Ramazan in Lahore

35 senior police officials were transferred on the orders of the IGP

LAHORE: Policing, a job requiring nerves of steel, becomes increasingly challenging during the month of Ramazan due to extra security duties, enhanced terror threats, extreme weather conditions and long hours on the job coupled with fasting.

Further, policing in Punjab will also be affected by the fact that at least 35 senior police officials, including DIG Operations Lahore, SSP Operations Lahore and six district police officers (DPOs), were transferred on the orders of the newly incumbent Punjab Police Inspector General Arif Nawaz a week before Ramazan. Reportedly, more transfers are on the cards while Lahore CCPO B A Nasir and other officials have been given warnings to improve their performances to avoid being transferred.

However, only time will tell if the transferred officials can live up to the IGP’s expectations. Take for example the post of the DIG Operations Lahore, a key role when it comes to policing in the provincial capital.

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All station house officers (SHOs) are his subordinates while important branches such as the security branch are also under his supervision.

After the recent shuffle in the police force, Ashfaq Ahmed Khan has been appointed the new DIG Operations Lahore. In approximately a week since he has assumed charge, the only notable thing Khan has done is to visit police stations at night in civilian clothing.

As the DIG Operations Lahore, Khan heads at least 84 SHOs, 34 DSPs, nine SPs and a force of over 15,000. In addition to fighting crime, the DIG Operations is also responsible for maintaining law and order in the city, coordinating with other departments, internal accountability, the force’s welfare and initiating new projects.

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With so many things falling under his jurisdiction, Khan’s vision seems to be lacking with no clear plan of action for policing in the provincial capital. In addition to the transfers and posting, the IGP has also announced that policies and projects introduced by his predecessor, Mushtaq Sukhera, will be continued. These projects include a homicide unit, IT projects and welfare projects.

Further, unlike former IGP Amjad Javed Saleemi Nawaz is determined to continue with the olive green uniform.

Major incidents reported

On Saturday a young man identified as Zeeshan was shot and injured for resisting a robbery attempt near Liberty Market in Gulberg. On April 28, Samanabad SHO Raza Rauf and other police officials were booked for kidnapping a youth for ransom. Meanwhile on May 1, a head constable was shot dead in Shahdara over an old enmity.

On April 29, drug dealers allegedly opened fire on police officials.The same day, a girl was murdered over honour and subsequently buried in a graveyard by her family.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 6^th, 2019.