7 cops suspended in Bajaur for links with drug pushers

KHAR: Seven policemen, including a station house officer (SHO), were suspended on the charges of having links with drug pushers in Bajaur tribal district.

According to an official statement issued from the office of District Police Officer (DPO) Waqas Rafiq, the cops were placed under suspension after a drug dealer accused them of receiving bribes from the drug pushers. Following the allegations, the DPO suspended the seven cops and ordered a departmental inquiry against them.

DPO Waqas Rafiq said the police had a zero tolerance policy for corruption, adding that no-one would be allowed to engage in drug trafficking in Bajaur. He said strict action would be taken against anyone involved in the illegal trade.

He said that the crackdown on drug dealers had been intensified and expressed confidence that Bajaur would soon be declared a drug-free zone.He asked tribal elders and the youth to cooperate with law-enforcers to eradicate this menace.

Around 22 first information reports (FIRs) were filed this month against drug dealers in Bajaur, leading to the arrest of 26 individuals.A local court recently convicted two persons of being involved in the drug trade.The DPO said the police were committed to ensuring that drug trafficking was eliminated from the district and vowed to continue the fight until the region became drug-free.