Citing unsatisfactory performance of over 200 policemen appointed on political basis, the Sindh government on Thursday decided to reshuffle the city police and remove the inefficient officers, Pakistan Today has learnt. At a high-level meeting presided by Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, it was decided that more than 213 officers will be transferred or removed from their post in Karachi and Hyderabad, insiders told Pakistan Today.
The intelligence agencies had provided data of over 250 police officers in Karachi and Hyderabad, alleging them of not fulfilling their responsibilities due to their political affiliations. “Politically-affiliated policemen are favouring criminals and are unable to serve the general public,” said a senior government official. About 163 serving policemen in Karachi and 87 in Hyderabad are politically affiliated with different political parties, which is the main cause of high crime ratio in the cities.
The authorities concerned have been asked to provide a list of police officers, from all over the province, having a good track record. Over a dozen police officers from different areas of Sindh have been called and will be soon posted in the city. “Sixteen police officers from Sukkhur, Larkana, Jacobabad and some other areas have reached the city and are awaiting their posting,” the sources said.
After the police officers expressed concern over their security if an operation is launched against criminals in Karachi and Hyderabad, the government also decided to provide security to the police officials and their families. All these arrangements are being made to curb criminals in Karachi and Hyderabad while such special measures will be taken in other parts of the province also. Karachi remains on the top of the list due to the high crime rate during the past three years, with more than 2,300 persons being killed in about 18 waves of targeted killings.