Believe it or not, almost all Station House Officers deputed in various police stations of the federal capital have tainted career but they are enjoying lucrative posts due to their good connections, Pakistan Today has learnt.
Some of them were suspended numerous times for corruption charges and for implicating innocent citizens in fake cases, but every time they managed to get their positions back.
According to Pakistan Today’s findings, there are 153 inspectors in ICT Police department, but around 110 officers despite having excellent career record could not get the position of SHOs for even a single day. On the other hand, a group of influential inspectors despite having poor service record have been enjoying posts of SHOs at various police stations for the last many years. They include Inspector Fiaz Tanoli, (SHO Kohsar), Inspector Khalid Masood, (SHO Shahzad Town) Inspector Khalid Awan (SHO Abpara), Inspector Hussain Lasi (SHO Margalla), Inspector Arshad Abro (SHO Tarnol) and Inspector Gulam Baqir (SHO Ramna).
Kohsar SHO Fiaz Tanoli is considered one of the most influential inspectors of the ICT police. As he could not be removed form his position despite having been served 15 show cause notices and forfeiture of three years service during the last eight months for his criminal negligence and misbehaviour. Even during the last month, the traders of Super Market took to the street against the inspector for picking up a trader from market and shifting him to the police station.
It is relevant to note here that Inspector General of Islamabad Police Bani Amin had twice attempted to remove the inspector, however, both times within some hours he had to take back the notifications. It is said the influential inspector, who is enjoying the office of SHO of Kohsar Police Station since July 2011 was given special ‘assurance and guarantee’ by a top man in the government that no one would remove him till July 2012. After Tanoli, Inspector Khalid Masood, who is currently holding position of SHO Shahzad Town, is considered most influential officer. During his service he was suspended five times for criminal negligence and corruption charges, however, all the time he managed to get his position back.
During the last month he was removed and suspended from the position of SHO Bharakau on the charges of implicating an ‘innocent’ citizen in liquor smuggling case. The police officers, last month leaked the information to media, saying the SHO Bharakau Khalid Masood had been suspended for implicating a citizen in liquor case. SSP Islamabad and SP City visited the Police Station and ordered the release of alleged liquor dealer Raja Zaheer and suspended the SHO. However, within three weeks, the suspended SHO got new position and was appointed as SHO ShahzadTown. Inspector Khalid Mahmood, SHO Aabpara, was suspended a couple of month ago by the IGP for registering a fake case against a citizen, however, after few months, the influential officer made his come back.
Inspector Arshad Abro (SHO Tarnol), who is considered as PPP Jayala, and he himself he claimed to be the worker of PPP, has also poor service record. Some months back, he was suspended none other but by the interior minister from the SHOship of Margalla for allowing a banned outfit to hold rally in his jurisdiction. However, after three days of suspension he got back his position. During the last month, another influential Inspector Hussain Lasi replaced him and Abro was transferred to Rescue 15. On Saturday, he was appointed as SHO Tarnol.
SHO Margalla, Hussain Lasi, who, according to sources, is enjoying backing of Balochistan Chief Minister, despite his poor performance in controlling crime all time managed to get SHO ship. Interestingly, according to sources, in every crime review meeting, the top gun asked him please take action against gambling dens operating in his jurisdiction. A source said during the last crime review meeting, a senior police officer warned the inspector to take action against the gamblers, who run a den at sector G9 markaz, otherwise, the officer said he would give the task to some other police officials. And finally, a few day ago, the SHO took action against the Jowa mafia.
It is relevant to note here that 11 show-cause notices were issued to Inspector Hussain Lasi in recent past. However, so far he failed to submit the reply and on this account his promotion case was deferred.
Whereas a sub-inspector, Fazal-ur-Rehman, who served as SHO Tarnol for more than six months and was suspended on Friday, is also considered one of the most influential SI of the ICT Police. He was suspended, not in response to complaints lodged by citizens but for quarrelling with a sitting PPP minister.
Interestingly, when PPP minister Sardar Saleem Haider asked the Inspector General of Police to take action against SHO Fazal-ur-Rehman for quarrelling and misbehaving with him, the IGP refused to initiate any action against the SI.
According to sources, in response to the minister’s complaint, the IGP made an excuse saying he was helpless before the influence of the officer as his brother is a gunman of President Asif Ali Zardari. Later, the minister got suspension orders of the quarreling SI from the presidency. The sources said the SI was trying to become SHO Banigala or Lohi Bher Police Station. When contacted, spokesman of Islamabad police claimed that all SHOs were appointed on merit. When asked a group of influential officers are serving in various police stations for the last many years despite having tainted record, he said they were performing well that’s why they were not changed. He, however, said whenever the IGP received any concrete complaint against any SHO, he would be shown the door immediately.
