LAHORE: Over 200 probationer sub-inspectors (SIs) inducted through the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) and Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) are eagerly waiting for their passing-out parade despite the fact that all the trainee cadets have completed their coursework and training over a month ago, Pakistan Today has learnt reliably.
As per the details, the training of 287 SIs of the third batch of sub-inspectors started on October 15, 2016, and they were scheduled to pass out after successful completion of one-year training from Police Training College Sihala. However, all the cadets are still residing at the training centre of Sihala near Islamabad, putting a burden on the national exchequer and equally perturbing the cadets who have been forced to live in the training academy hundreds of miles away from their homes till the passing-out parade is held.
“Our passing-out parade was already delayed as our training period was over on October 15 this year. Finally, we were told that passing-out ceremony would be held on November 13 but then we came to know at the eleventh hour that the final parade had been cancelled for some unknown reasons and now we are waiting for our final parade,” a dejected cadet from the training academy told Pakistan Today on the condition of anonymity.
He further added that all the cadets were facing mental agony while residing in the training academy as all of them were educated and most of them were unable to sit in other competitive exams because of the delay in the final parade.
“Most of the cadets are now unable to appear in the Central Superior Service (CSS) and Provincial Management Service (PMS) competitive exams because the administration of the academy is not allowing us to leave the training center till the final parade,” the cadet said, adding that there are 2 PhDs, 25 MPhils, 22 Engineers, 18 MBAs, 33 having LLB and LLM degrees and 7 DVMs and D-pharm in his batch.
Moreover, there are 11 Railways police inspectors as well in this batch who got inducted through FPSC while 19 lady inspectors are also part of this ‘unfortunate’ batch, he said.
Another cadet was of the view that several of his fellows had delayed their marriages just because of the delay in their passing-out parade as they want to enjoy their cherished moments with a relaxed mind.
It is worth mentioning here that currently the fourth batch of SIs is being imparted training at Police Training College Sihala while the previous batch is still awaiting its passing-out parade.
A senior officer of the Punjab Police told Pakistan Today that the administration of the training academy wants a high official like the chief minister or prime minister to be the chief guest at the parade as such high profile chief executives usually announce hefty financial packages for the uplift of the academy’s infrastructure. “Unfortunately, such personalities are unable to spare some time from their busy schedules,” he added.
Pakistan Today has also learnt that PPSC has completed the recruitment process of the fifth batch of SIs and they would only be called for training once the passing-out parade of the third batch takes place.
The college was founded in 1959 and it is the oldest and largest training institute for Police cadets in Pakistan and it has imparted training to over 78,000 officials from the rank of constable to SPs since its inception.
When Deputy Inspector General and Commandant of Punjab Police College Sihala Ehsan Tufail was contacted, he told Pakistan Today that he has written a letter in this regard to additional IG (training) of Punjab Police and there is a possibility that he might be trying to get a time from chief minister for the passing-out parade.
Punjab Police Spokesman Nayab Haider could not be reached despite repeated attempts.