Subpar performance: Major changes imminent in top Sindh police ranks

Balochistan bureaucracy may also be reorganised

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to carry out a major reshuffle in the top hierarchy of the Sindh police following intelligence reports on the threat of violence during the upcoming local government elections in Karachi.

“Sindh will see a major reshuffle in the top ranks of the police,” a senior police officer told The Express Tribune. “The decision was taken on the [paramilitary] Rangers’ recommendations. The federal government is also consulting with the provincial government on this issue.”

He said the Rangers were unhappy with the recently developed differences between senior police officers. “Many top police officers have lodged their complaints at the Chief Minister’s Office,” added the officer, who is familiar with this week’s phone discussion between senior officials.

Officials briefed the interior minister on the deteriorating law and order situation in Sindh, the most recent example of which was witnessed in the first phase of LG polls held in various districts of the province on October 31.

“Rangers, with the coordination of the police, should take [immediate] steps to control the worsening law and order situation in the province,” Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar had directed the Rangers Sindh chief. “The Karachi operation must move forward, and steps should be taken to execute it swiftly to clean the port city of criminals.”

Internal rifts

Even Sindh police chief Ghulam Hyder Jamali and DIG Ghulam Sarwar Jamali, who are first cousins, have developed serious differences over transfers and postings, claimed another senior police officer.

Formation of different groups within the Sindh police prompted DG Akbar to convey his concerns to the centre, said a senior official at the CM House. “We must take this issue seriously. Internal differences between senior police officers could affect the upcoming LG elections.” However, CM Qaim Ali Shah has said he would not allow centre to interfere in provincial matters, added the official.

New police chief

The federal administration is mulling over the appointment of a new provincial police chief, revealed an official. “They are displeased with the police performance in Sindh.”

AIGs Nasimuz Zaman, Ghulam Qadir Thebo, Dr Arif Mushtaq, Hussain Asghar and Sanaullah Abbasi are among the top contenders for the post, added the official. “The final decision will be taken after the interior minister’s consultation with the Rangers chief and CM Qaim.”

According to an interior ministry official, Ahsan Mehboob has assumed the office of the Balochistan police chief. He has replaced Muhammad Amlish, who the official said had failed to maintain law and order in the province. “There is a possibility that the bureaucracy in Balochistan would also see changes in its top ranks in the coming weeks.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 23^rd,  2015.