Dismissed cop restored, promoted

KARACHI: A senior officer of Karachi police, who was dismissed from service, was restored and also promoted.

According to official record, services of former Station House Officer (SHO) of Sukhan Sarfraz Gondal were terminated for allegedly protecting the accused in murder case of Dr Merchant and his two associates. 

According to official record Gondal's services were terminated but then restored in an appeal by former Inspector General Ghulam Hyder Jamali by reducing his rank as Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI). However, Gondal was blacklisted, declared unwanted and not fit for duty in Karachi range by Karachi Police Chief AIG Mushtaq Mahar.

Subsequently Supreme Court of Pakistan formed a committee to penalise the police officials and officers of Sindh province having criminal record. ASI Sarfraz Gondal applied for retirement and proceeded on Leave Preparatory to Retirement (LPR). As soon as the committee closed its work, Gondal was restored to the same position.

Police rules say that a police official (up to Inspector level) who had opted for Leave Preparatory to Retirement (LPR) could be restored to his position only by Inspector General Police after fulfilling certain conditions. 

Karachi Police Chief Additional Inspector General (AIG) Mushtaq Ahmed Mahar told this reporter that the matter of police official Godal was in his knowledge and he has ordered inquiry into the matter.

“I came to know about the disorder and lawlessness in Karachi Police. I was told that some officers overlapping their powers are protecting police officials and restoring them without their eligibility,” added AIG Mahar.

He concluded that an impartial inquiry would be initiated very soon and whosoever was proved guilty for this illegal practice would not be spared.  Deputy Inspector General Arif Hanif refuted all the facts and said neither Gondal was restored by former DIG and nor he was promoted as Sub-Inspector. On the other hand when this reporter contacted police official Gondal for his version he himself confirmed his restoration by former DIG and reinstatement on same rank by DIG Arif Hanif.

Gondal admitted that this was a common practice in Karachi police and not only he but many other officials also benefited in the same manner.