More than 77% of the Rawalpindi District police officials from the rank of constable to inspector have been marked as pot-bellied. Interestingly, the officers from the rank of DSP to the top were excluded from the count, a top police officer, on condition of anonymity, told this correspondent.

Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Haji Habib-ur-Rehman, during his visit to Rawalpindi on May 31, warned police officers to shape up their bellies within 30 days and they would be examined on July 1. He said that the officers having a waistline of more than 38 inches would be removed from the operational police (police stations) and they would not be allowed to carry out field jobs. They would be shifted to the Police Lines till they reduce their pot-bellies.

The officer, quoting a preliminary report compiled after measuring waistline of police officials from the rank of constable to inspector, disclosed that out of the total strength of 19,000 personnel of the Rawalpindi Police, only 4,269 police officials were found up to the mark having a waistline of less than 38 inches, while 14,731 officials were marked as having pot-bellies, including 74 inspectors, 894 sub-inspectors, 2,251 assistant sub-inspectors, 4,103 head constables and 7,409 constables.

The officer said that the final examination of the personnel having out of shape bellies would be conducted on July 1. The officials, who would fail to control their bellies, would immediately be removed from field jobs and shifted to the Police Lines. The officer added that the waistline-measuring examination would be carried out under the supervision of an SP and the report would be compiled with the help of an officer of the rank of inspector having the post of OSI.

The officer told ‘The News’ that warning letters have been sent to 14,731 police personnel with the advice to reduce their bellies before July 1.The source said that the Punjab IGP has advised all police officials, including those in the ranks of DSP and above, but the concerned authorities separated themselves from the fitness test.

On the other hand, the high-ups, expressing concern over the shortage of police officers after their elimination, demanded the IGP Office to provide them with extra force, the source said.Interestingly, all police officials, especially station house officers (SHOs), are trying hard to reduce their waistlines, but most of them have no control over their pot bellies.

The officer told this correspondent that the final report of the marked officials would be sent to the IGP Office, Lahore, after the deadline and the pot-bellied officials would immediately be removed from police stations and field posts. No further chance would be given to the obese officials, he added.