Dozens of cops face drug trafficking charges

As many as 45 police officers and personnel of the Punjab police turned out to be allegedly involved in drug smuggling activities. The Punjab government and the provincial police chief have sought a detailed report of actions against the accused from the field formations.

Following the orders of the IGP, the Additional IG Operations Punjab has sent a letter and the list of cops to Rawalpindi City Police Officer Khalid Hamdani, the Gujranwala CPO, the Lahore CCPO Lahore and the District Police Officers (DPOs) of relevant districts for departmental action. The list contains the names of officials from the rank of constable to the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) who are allegedly involved in drug smuggling.

The letter states that the Central Police Office (CPO) must be informed through a detailed report about the outcome of action against the officials.

The list contains the names of incumbent and former DSPs, Station House Officers (SHOs), Chowki In-charges, SI, ASI, Head Constables and constables.

The list includes two SIs from Rawalpindi; one Inspector, four SIs, one ASI and a constable from Attock; one Inspector and one driver constable from Lahore; one SI, one HC and three constables from Gujranwala; one Inspector and one SI from Hafizabad; one SHO from Mian Channu; four ASIs from Pakpattan; one HC, nine constables, one SI and one ASI from Bahawalpur, and one SI from Rahim Yar Khan.

Departmental action and inquiries have already been initiated against the police officers and officials. When contacted, Rawalpindi CPO Khalid Hamdani said that SSP Operations Hafiz Kamran Asghar had been appointed as the inquiry officer to probe the allegations against two SIs of Rawalpindi. The SSP was conducting the inquiry, would take action against the accused and submit findings to the Central Police Office.