ISLAMABAD: The public denunciation by Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) apart, the Sindh government has posted, for the first time in five and a half years, police officers who have impeccable reputations and integrity and are described as doers, to purge Karachi of the menace of extortions, kidnapping for ransom, targeted killings and mafias.
The only controversy that surrounds the new appointments is that some senior police officers who are more dedicated, professional and honest than this lot have been discounted or kept on the sidelines.
This has caused heartburn among the seniors and provoked them to complain to higher authorities.
“The newly posted DIGs (deputy inspector generals) did not have long experience in these positions as they were promoted to the present ranks around a year back,” a senior police official said. But he too was appreciative of the officers.
Another police official shared this view and said the new team had the capability to deliver in the dangerous Karachi situation.
However, he hinted at a problem and said that cooperation between the Rangers, the lead campaigners against the criminals in the targeted drive, and Karachi police might be affected with the new officers in place.
These officials opined that for the first time the Sindh government had made a sincere effort to fix the Karachi problem although it was too late in the day. “It knows that it has to do something impressive right now; otherwise, it can’t stay because the frightening situation in the metropolis can’t be permitted to linger on.”
“The names of senior officers Bashir Memon, AD Khawaja, Amir Sheikh and Tahir Naveed, who were given inconsequential positions, quickly come to mind. Nobody can raise an accusing finger at their professionalism and credibility. This was the time to benefit from them,” one officer said. Internews
