Muhafiz police: Custodians of law accused of robbing citizens

Lawmaker claims police ‘robbed him’ when he concealed his identity to verify public complaints against the force


Rizwan Shehzad August 09, 2015
Lawmaker claims police ‘robbed him’ when he concealed his identity to verify public complaints against the force. PHOTO: WASEEM NIAZ/EXPRESS

ISLAMABAD:


The Muhafiz police squad’s performance in Rawalpindi has of late come under public scrutiny and criticism.


The incident on June 7, when four officials of the Muhafiz squad allegedly gunned down two brothers for reportedly refusing to stop their motorcycle after they were signalled to do so near Sixth Road, contributed to the image and triggered huge public outcry.



The squad was formed to curb street crime, house robberies, incidents of car lifting and mobile phone and purse snatching but little has been achieved in terms of results.

Some have even accused the force of being involved in incidents of thefts and robberies.

A local member of the Punjab Assembly (MPA), Asif Mehmood, belonging to the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), said that he hid his identity and decided to personally visit the area to verify public complaints against the force.

He said that he himself became a victim as the squad allegedly robbed him too. “Muhafiz policemen have turned into robbers,” Mehmood alleges.

After dozens of complaints by his voters alleging that the officials were involved in looting citizens, the lawmaker claims he disguised himself as an ordinary citizen and visited his constituency at around midnight a few days ago.

Narrating the incident, Mehmood said that he along with his friends chose a spot to verify public claims. He said that two police officials, one identified as Khurram, riding a motorcycle approached him and started accusing him of committing a robbery in another street a few minutes ago.

“They snatched my wallet and my mobile phone, and kept asking where my other ‘accomplices’ were, and where the ‘money’ was,” he said.



The MPA said that when he refused to go with them to the police station, the officials threatened him to arrange more money or prepare to spend the night in a lock up.

“Why wouldn’t you go to police station,” taunted one of them, “you aren’t the CPO.”

“Surely I’m not the CPO. I’m the MPA of this constituency,” Mehmood revealed to the officials.

As soon as they knew his status and the fact that he was accompanied by his friends in a car parked nearby, they threw away his belongings and fled on a motorcycle.

The legislator also accused some police officials of depriving ordinary citizens of their valuables in Westridge, Mughalabad, Tench Bhatta, Girja Road and Shalley Valley.

Mehmood said that he would raise the issue in the assembly and had submitted an adjournment motion in this regard.

Meanwhile, the City Police Officer (CPO), Israr Ahmed Abbasi, when contacted for his view denied any such activities, defending the officials.

He said he was happy that the policemen were checking everyone regardless of their social status.

“Let the MPA say whatever he wishes to. Everyone knows PTI is anti-Punjab police. When they do not get anything else to say they start blaming the police,” the CPO said.

“I own my orders. I have directed the police to snap check and take anyone to the police station who fail to provide satisfactory answers the officials,” said the CPO. Israr said that the MPA was ‘welcome’ to lodge a case against the officials but he should be more specific about the incidents of alleged robberies.

He said that he would order an inquiry and assign officer of the MPA’s choice if he could support his allegations.

Israr warned that strict action would be taken if anyone was involved in corrupt practices.


Published in The Express Tribune, August 10th, 2015. 

COMMENTS (1)

Logicaldude | 8 years ago | Reply Corruption of every police department is as well known as the name of the founder of the country and as old as Pakistan. These are the most dangerous criminals, they are armed to the teeth with government issue and confiscated guns and ammunition, work togather as a mafia, support and advise criminals, extort money from everyone, they are greedy and merciless and know enough law to protect themselves. The corruption goes from the lowest to the IG's. There is no way to reform them. Their political masters aren't much better.
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