Police chief: Aftab Sultan takes over as IGP

Former Intelligence Bureau chief says his priorities are free and fair elections and maintenance of law and order.

LAHORE:

Aftab Sultan, a BS-22 officer, was on Friday appointed the inspector general of Punjab Police (IGP).

Sultan had been serving as the commandant of the National Police Academy before this assignment.

His name was proposed by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), officials familiar with the matter told The Express Tribune on condition of anonymity.

The name was finalised in consultation with Najam Sethi, the caretaker chief minister.

The newly appointed IGP told The Express Tribune his priorities were to ensure free, fair and transparent elections and to maintain law and order “pre and post elections”.

“Caretaker Chief Minister Najam Sethi also gave me the same directions during a meeting at the Punjab House in Islamabad,” said Sultan. The IGP said that Sethi had also directed him to tell his colleagues and subordinates not to favour or oppose any political party during the elections.

Sultan, who has returned to Punjab after two years after serving at the Centre, did not rule out transferring police officers, saying he would reassign portfolios where necessary.

Profile

Sultan, who is from the 4th common, was born in 1954 belongs to Faisalabad. He joined Punjab Police as an assistant superintendent of police in 1977.

Sultan was promoted as superintendent of police in 1983 and a deputy inspector general in 2000.

After his promotion to BPS-21, he was posted as additional IG (Finance and Welfare) in the Punjab. In 2011, he was made the chief of the Intelligence Bureau, almost two months after being promoted to grade 22. Since July 12, 2012 Sultan was serving as the NPA commandant till his appointment as Punjab inspector general.

During his career, he has served as SP and SSP in Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sahiwal, Khushab and Faisalabad. He has also worked as part of the Special Branch.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 30^th, 2013.