CCPO Dogar’s position hangs in the balance

Centre issued transfer orders, but Punjab has taken no action

LAHORE:

The government of Punjab, other than a verbal affirmation, has not taken a formal decision regarding the retention of Additional IG (AIG) Ghulam Mehmood Dogar, a grade 21 officer, in his position as the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO).

Earlier this week, the federal government transferred Dogar from the post and asked him to report to the Establishment Division. According to reports, the federal government, led by Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N), was frustrated with him over the registration of a case under anti-terrorism charges against two of its leaders, Javed Latif and Maryam Aurangzeb.

Punjab Home Minister Hashim Dogar made the claim before the media.

As Dogar’s transfer orders were reported through the media, Hashim Dogar asked the AIG to continue serving as CCPO pending further orders. Chief Minister Punjab Pervaiz Elahi termed the orders unlawful and refused to comply by them.

The next day, the CM held a meeting with senior officers of Punjab and ordered them to remain at their positions, pending permission from the Government of Punjab.

The CM, in an exclusive meeting with Dogar, reportedly assured him that they will not let him be transferred and had also praised him and his services.

However, to retain his position, the provincial government reportedly had not taken any formal action so far, nor had it sent in writing to the Establishment or Services and General Administration Department Punjab anything in regards to Dogar’s position.

As per the departmental regulations, being a PSP officer ie a federal government employee, Dogar was mandated to report to the Establishment Division within a week. If he failed to do this, he may be issued a show-cause notice explaining his actions. Failure to respond could lead to a suspension.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 24^th, 2022.