Sukkur DIG and Ghotki SSP removed amid their ongoing conflict

The Sindh police chief has taken notice of the ongoing conflict between the Sukkur Range police chief and the District Ghotki police chief, ordering their removal and forming an investigation committee headed by the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) chief.

A few days ago, Sukkur DIG Pir Muhammad Shah accused Ghotki SSP Hafeezur Rehman of having links to criminal groups and being involved in criminal activities. In response to the discord between the senior officials, Sindh IG Ghulam Nabi Memon ordered their removal.

The order issued by the Sindh chief secretary’s office states that DIG Shah, a Police Service of Pakistan (PSP) officer (BS-20), has been transferred with immediate effect and directed to report to the services, general administration & coordination department.

Larkana Range police chief DIG Nasir Aftab has been assigned to hold the additional charge of Sukkur Range DIG effective immediately and until further notice. Furthermore, SSP Rehman, a PSP officer (BS-18), has been transferred and directed to report to the Central Police Office (CPO) with immediate effect and until further orders.

District Khairpur police chief SSP Dr Samiullah Soomro will oversee the responsibilities of District Ghotki SSP in addition to his own duties effective immediately and until further notice. IG Memon has also formed an investigation committee headed by CTD Addl IG Imran Yaqoob Minhas to ascertain the facts behind the allegations.

The order issued by the IG office states that the committee must submit their report within seven days. The other members of the committee are DIG Amir Farooqui of Crime & Investigation, Sindh, and DIG Tanveer Alam Odho of Finance, CPO, Sindh. They have been ordered to inquire into the contents of the October 16 letter written by the Sukkur DIG against the conduct of the Ghotki SSP.

They are to also investigate the SSP’s allegations made during a media talk, and to ascertain the conduct of the DIG and the SSP in the aftermath of the shooting incident involving former MPA Shaharyar Shar. The investigation committee is to also evaluate the working relationship and differences between the DIG and the SSP regarding the ongoing operations in the Ghotki district.