CCPO, SP CIA clash over rape case arrest
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Lahore police’s momentum to launch a crackdown against the opposition parties’ activists, mainly Pakistan Mulsim League-Nawaz (PML-N), was interrupted after a conflict between SP CIA Asim Iftikhar and CCPO Umer Shoib in a midnight meeting of the commanders.
However, the police conducted at least 150 raids in various parts of the city and impounded hundreds of containers to block roads. Police had prepared division wise lists of prominent activists for arresting them. Every SP was allegedly asked to arrest the activists and they had instructed the circle officers and SHOs.
At around 1.30am on Thursday, CCPO Umer Sheikh called a meeting, which sources said was aimed at arresting PML-N activists before dawn, while they were asleep. The sources said the CCPO wanted to monitor the crackdown from the Punjab Safe City Authority Lahore control room.
As the meeting started, an alteraction took place between CCPO Umer Sheikh and SP Asim Iftikhar reportedly over the former not having been taken into confidence over arrest of the prime suspect in the motorway rape case.
As the heated exchange of words continued, the CCPO reportedly ordered the arrest of the SP CIA. Iftikhar also reportedly threatened Sheikh.
The other senior police officers present on the occasion interfered and spent the rest of the time in cooling down the atmosphere and the main agenda was eclipsed by the quarrel.
Meanwhile, the police conducted raids throughout the provincial capital for arresting PML-N workers and leaders.
The targets of the raids included the house of PML-N leader Qari Hanif, former union council 182 chairman Rashid Butt, a journalist, Naveed Hayyat, who was detained in Shadbagh police station. The office of PML-N leader Pervaiz Malik, former UC chairman Dawood Khan in Raiwind, Asim Khan, Rana Mashood’s office, Javed Khan’s house and the home of Sohail Shaukat Butt were also raided.
The PML-N leaders and activists took to the social media and streets to agitate against the arrests. Some of them also complained of manhandling, misbehaviour. trespassing and being deprived of valuables.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 16th, 2020.