Eight Police Officials Dismissed in Rawalpindi
Eight police officials dismissed from service in Rawalpindi after a departmental inquiry found them guilty of negligence and corruption, Dawn reported.
City Police Officer Hassan Mushtaq Sukhera dismissed the eight officers and officials as part of departmental accountability in the police department, a police spokesman said.
Those dismissed included a sub-inspector, an assistant sub-inspector (ASI), a head constable and five constables.
Eight police officials dismissed: the breakdown
The sub-inspector was dismissed for negligence in service delivery to citizens. The ASI was sacked for serious negligence in professional duties.
The head constable and two constables were dismissed for negligence in professional duties. Three constables were shown the door on complaints of corruption.
The split shows the two problems the inquiry targeted. Five of the eight lost their jobs over poor service to the public. Three were removed after corruption complaints against them.
Open court for citizens’ complaints
Senior Superintendent of Police Investigation Saifullah held an open court, known as a kutchery, at the Police Lines Headquarters. He issued orders to the relevant officers to resolve complaints from citizens.
The SSP said legal action should be ensured within the given timeframe on the marked applications. No negligence would be tolerated in the immediate resolution of citizens’ problems, he added.
He said that, according to the vision of the chief minister of Punjab, the protection of the lives and property of citizens and the provision of facilities to them was the top priority, and all measures were being taken for it.
Accountability drive in Rawalpindi police
The dismissals continue an accountability drive that began when the city’s police leadership changed earlier this year. Mr Sukhera, a Grade 20 officer who had served as Deputy Inspector General of Police for Operations at the Counter-Terrorism Department Punjab, was installed as City Police Officer in a sweeping July reshuffle that replaced the top tier of Rawalpindi’s civil administration and police.
Since then, the Rawalpindi police have acted against their own in a series of cases. In one earlier case, three officials of Dhamiyal Police Station were arrested and a criminal case registered against them after an inquiry found them guilty of corruption following a citizen’s complaint. The station house officer was suspended for negligence.
The pattern is clear: complaints from citizens now lead to inquiries, and inquiries lead to dismissals, suspensions and arrests. For residents, the test is whether the open courts and the dismissals translate into better policing on the street.
Rawalpindi’s dismissals come as Punjab widens how citizens reach the police. On October 1, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz inaugurated 33 mobile police stations across the province, offering 14 services including FIR registration, tenant registration and criminal record checks. Six of the units are dedicated to issues faced by women, and citizens filing an FIR receive an online e-tag to track their case. Each unit is headed by a sub-inspector, supported by a field supervisor and a senior station assistant.
Punjab has also been expanding police services for citizens, with 33 mobile police stations offering FIR registration. Rawalpindi’s administration has faced other pressures this week, with a flour crisis averted in the city.
Frequently asked questions
How many police officials were dismissed in Rawalpindi?
Eight police officials were dismissed from service: a sub-inspector, an ASI, a head constable and five constables.
Why were they dismissed?
A departmental inquiry proved them guilty of negligence in service delivery to citizens and corruption. Five were dismissed over negligence in their duties, and three constables over corruption complaints.
Who ordered the dismissals?
City Police Officer Hassan Mushtaq Sukhera dismissed the eight officers and officials as part of departmental accountability in the Rawalpindi police.
What is the open court?
SSP Investigation Saifullah held an open court, or kutchery, at the Police Lines Headquarters, where he ordered officers to resolve citizens’ complaints within the given timeframe.
