In the line of fire: SSP Shahjahan Khan replaces SSP Khattab as SIU chief

The former chief was charged with designing a soft charge sheet against target killer.

KARACHI:

Much to the chagrin of the officers of Special Investigation Unit, a new chief has been appointed to replace the former chief, SSP Raja Umar Khattab.

The new SIU chief is SSP Shahjahan Khan. Additional Chief Secretary Waseem Ahmed also issued the notification for his appointment. A new inquiry committee has also been set up to probe accusations levelled against Khattab by the Rangers.

He is accused of letting a target killer, Mohammad Saleem alias Saleem Baloch, affiliated with a political party, get bail by designing soft charge sheet against him. The Rangers complained of the case mishandling and Khattab was sent on a month’s leave. DSP Usman Asghar was given charge of the SIU on a temporary basis. An inquiry committee was also set up under Additional IG of Crime Investigation Department, Ghulam Shabbir Sheikh. The committee also had representatives from the Rangers and the top intelligence agency of the country. But as it happened, the committee could not initiate an investigation because Sheikh was busy in his daughter’s wedding.

The new inquiry committee is being led by DIG Salman Syed, who said that he sent requests to Rangers and the intelligence agency to send members to join the inquiry committee. “If Khattab is found guilty then he will be punished,” said Syed. “I can’t say when the committee will finish the investigation. But I can assure you it will be completely transparent.”

On the other hand Khattab said he was ready to face the inquiry because he was right. “There is no specific time period for a forced leave,” he said. “By the will of God, the findings of the inquiry committee will be in my favour.”

But the matter of concern is that although SSP Khan is one of the most reputable police officers of Sindh, he does not have enough experience to deal with terrorism. Khan has been the Additional DIG of the crime branch, Additonal DIG traffic, Town Police Officer Malir, North Nazimabad, SITE, Mehmoodabad, Arambagh, Landhi, Korangi and other areas.

But the officer seems geared up for the challenge. “Of course it is a challenging situation,” he said. “But everything takes time. My previous record has been good and hopefully this too will be the start of something good too.”

However, the SIU does not seem happy with the decision and want Khattab back as their chief.  “Khan Sahib is a good man,” said a SIU official referring to the new chief. “But we want our Sahib [Khattab]. He put himself in danger many times for this unit and saved ours and the people’s lives. This is how he is being paid back for it.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 23^rd,  2012.