CM takes notice of doctor’s killing in Umerkot, orders suspension of several police officers

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, taking serious notice of the killing of Dr Shahnawaz Kanbhar by cops in an alleged encounter after his arrest on charges of blasphemy in Umerkot, has ordered the suspension of the Mirpurkhas DIG, SSP and other police officers.

Officials said on Saturday the CM had directed Chief Secretary Haider Shah to issue orders for the suspension of police officials, including DIG Javed Soonharo Jiskani and SSP Asad Ali Chaudhry, for showing negligence in performing their duties.

On directives from the chief minister, CIA and Sindhri police officials were also suspended and ordered to report to the Police Lines, Mirpurkhas. These officials cannot leave the headquarter without the prior permission of the competent authority.

The suspended policemen include Sindh Police Station SHO Inspector Niaz Muhammad Khoso, SI Hidayatullah of the CIA Centre Mirpurkhas, Head Constable Lakhmir, Constable Ala Jadeo, Constable Mohammad Siddique of the Sindhri Police Station. Moreover, constables Nadir Pervaiz, Ghulam Qadir and Farman Ali of the CIA Centre of Mirpurkhas have also been suspended. Senior Superintendent of Police Shabbir Ahmed Sethar issued the suspension order.

Meanwhile, CS Haider Shah issued an order for the suspension of the DIG and the SSP. The suspension order reads, “The services of the following officers of the Police Service of Pakistan are placed under suspension, with immediate effect Javed Soonharo Jiskani, PSP (BS-20) Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mirpurkhas Range, and Capt (retd) Muhammad Asad Ali Chaudhry, (BS-18) Senior Superintendent of Police, district Mirpurkhas. The headquarter of the above-named officers, during the period of their suspension, shall be at the Central Police Office (CPO), Sindh, Karachi. Moreover, their charge sheets and statements of allegations shall be issued separately.”

The chief secretary also moved a letter to the Establishment Division Islamabad that reads, “I am directed to refer to the Services General Administration and Coordination Department (SGA&CD), government of Sindh’s order dated 20th September, 2024, and to convey that, in terms of rule 2(1) © of the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020 read with rule 5 of the said rules, the secretary, Establishment Division is pleased to confirm the suspension of following officers notified vide government of Sindh’s order under reference for a period of 120 days: Javed Soonharo Jiskani, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mirpurkhas Range, Mirpurkhas, and Capt. (retd) Muhammad Asad Ali Chaudhry (BS-18), Senior Superintendent of Police, District Mirpurkhas.

“The government of Sindh is requested to forward the draft charge sheet and statement of allegations in respect of the above-named officers to this Division at the earliest.”

On Friday, the Sindh Assembly was informed that the provincial government would ensure that no one would act individually in his private capacity to dispense justice in the case of anyone accused of committing blasphemy to protect law and order in the province.

Law and Home minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, stated this while speaking on behalf of the government on the incident of Umerkot.