IG Sindh bans use of smartphones by on-duty cops

Order issued by IG Memon states police officials often found using smartphones while on duty

KARACHI:

Inspector General (IG) Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon on Wednesday issued an order banning the use of smartphones by on-duty cops.

The order issued by Memon's office stated that police officials were often found busy using smartphones while on duty and directed all police personnel to not use smartphones during duty.

“Mobile phones shall not be used during the course of their duty, especially by personnel assigned to field security duties,” stated the order.

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The order has been issued with the approval of the relevant authority and copies have been sent to all additional IGs, DIGs, SSPs, DIGs headquarters posted in the province.

The development comes just days after terrorists, wearing suicide vests and carrying automatic weapons and grenades stormed the Karachi Police Office (KPO).

Three policemen and a Rangers man were among five people martyred during the terrorist attack.

A gun battle raged for more than three hours following the assault after dusk, as security forces went floor-to-floor through the building in pursuit of the assailants.

The forces retook the building after killing the three militants, a government spokesperson had said.

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The attack—which came weeks after a suicide bomber had martyred at least 61 people, mostly policemen, during prayers at a mosque in Peshawar—once again ignited fears of another wave of terrorism in the country which had been crushed during successful military operations in recent years.

A five-member committee, led by a deputy inspector general of the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), was formed to investigate the terrorist attack on the KPO and trace the facilitators of the attackers.