Dogar appointed CCPO for second time

Senior cop was removed last year for ‘mishandling’ TLP march


Muhammad Shahzad July 30, 2022
CCPO Ghulam Mahmood Dogar. PHOTO: FILE

LAHORE:

Removed from Lahore as CCPO in 2021 and DIG Operations in 2012 over misuse of authority and inefficiency charges, Additional Inspector General of Punjab Police (IGP) Ghulam Mehmood Dogar has been appointed as Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) for the second time. He was removed in November last year for mishandling Tehreek-e-Labaik (TLP) March towards Islamabad.

The TLP march had started from its headquarters in Chowk Yateem Khana, Multan Road. Despite clear instructions, Dogar despite having over 30,000 police officers and paramilitary forces on standby could not devise an effective plan to choke the TLP movement at its inception point.

According to a few reports, those in power in the federal capital were seriously annoyed with Lahore Police Command as at the start of the march, the TLP activists were in a couple of thousands.

Lahore police outnumbered them five to six times.

Police under Dogar’s command failed to stop their movement at three natural key choke points; Chowk Yateem Khana, Chauburji and River Ravi.

He was awarded another opportunity to assist Gujrawanwala Police Range to stop the march near Kamonki. Dogar reached there with the force of thousands of policemen but could not prove a success.

The mob harassment case at Greater Iqbal Park that put Pakistan under the spotlight throughout the globe was also reported when Dogar was the CCPO.

The inquiry report had pointed out many flaws in security plans at key points like Minar-e-Pakistan under his command at important occasions such as August 14, Independence Day.

The inquiry report also noted that he was busy holding flag marches during the time than focusing on key policing. Dozens of calls to police were made for help by the victim girl at the occasion.

The incident annoyed the federal and Punjab government due to public wrath and criticism of the law and order situation in wake of the incident. Through Dogar was retained but senior police including then DIG Operations Sajid Kiyani, SSP Operations, SP City among others were transferred from their position.

Dogar has also served as DIG Operations in Lahore. However, he was removed in 2012 following an inquiry report that had found him guilty of land grabbing.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 30th, 2022.

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