IGP orders swift action to arrest absconders in Sindh

Sindh police chief AD Khowaja ordered on Friday the launch of a crackdown to arrest all fugitives in the province.

The inspector general of police (IGP) issued the directives a day after the Sindh High Court was informed that 98,852 absconders and proclaimed offenders were at large in difference districts of the province.

A report presented by the additional inspector general (legal) said that 57,528 absconders and 41,324 proclaimed offenders were on the run in Sindh. 

Chairing a meeting at the Central Police Office, IGP Khowaja ordered the force to compile all relevant details about the fugitives and that the details should be shared among the divisional police.

This, he said, was important to apprehend people involved in criminal and anti-social activities and could be a potential threat during the holy month of Ramazan.

The meeting extensively discussed steps needed to be taken to ensure swift arrests of the absconders. It was decided that the senior superintendents of police and their teams would be awarded cash prizes if they arrested any absconders.

Police officials representing all parts of the province agreed that the issue needed to be handled on a priority basis.

Reviewing security and traffic management plans for the province, IGP Khowaja said a pragmatic approach must be adopted for stringent implementation of the plans.

Taking notice of an unwarranted delay in the release of salaries to the newly inducted cops, he said departmental action must be taken against administrative staffers failing to furnish the required documents with the bills sent to the authorities concerned.

He constituted a committee, headed by Additional IG Aftab Pathan, to streamline the procedure and ensure that remedial action was expedited.

The newly recruited cops must not only get their salaries urgently, but their dues, if any, should also be cleared prior to Eidul Fitr.

He also discussed the arrangements made to facilitate the cops assigned security and traffic management duties in Ramazan.

Seeking suggestions from the zonal deputy inspectors general (DIGs) about feeding charges the cops are entitled to, the police chief ordered that a transparent arrangement should be made for the purpose. 

The meeting was attended by all additional IGs of Karachi and the Counter Terrorism Department of Sindh. The meeting was also attended by other officials of the Sindh Police and the DIGs of upper Sindh were taken on board through a video-conference.