Punctuality counts: 18 women wardens suspended, reinstated

IGP stops suspension order on account on Int’l Women’s Day.

LAHORE:

The suspension of 18 police women was suspended by the Inspector General of Police due to International Women’s Day. The City Traffic Officer had suspended the women for not showing up at a function where they were deputed.

Fifteen lady traffic police wardens and three lady traffic police inspectors were deputed at the Alhamra Art and Cultural Complex where the chief minister was slated to speak. The women did not show up and their male counterparts took their posts.

Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Sarfaraz Falki was informed and he ordered all 18 suspended from service.

As the news of this suspension flashed on media circuits, the matter was brought to the notice of the Inspector General of Police Haji Habibur Rehman who immediately stopped the suspension order.

Sources in the Police Department said the suspension of orders was only for the benefit of the media due to the relevance of the day. They said the wardens’ failing was acknowledged by their bosses.

Punjab Police Headquarters Public Relations Director Nabeela Ghazanfar told The Express Tribune that due to the relevance of day IGP Habibur Rehman has stopped suspension orders. She said that the matter would be probed and the concerned officers if found guilty would be punished.

CTO Falki told The Express Tribune that traffic police had deputed 67 lady traffic wardens at a gathering where a large number of women were expected. He said no male wardens had been deputed. He said 14 lady traffic wardens and three senior traffic police wardens did not arrive at the appointed time.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 9^th, 2012.