Sindh IGP points to cops’ ‘role’ in extortion, torture, illegal confinements

KARACHI: Inspector General of Police Sindh Dr. Kaleem Imam has issued explanation letters and letters of displeasure to Additional Inspector General Kamran Fazal, head of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), Sindh, regarding the alleged involvement of some officers of the department in extortion, wrongful confinement, torture for illegal gratification and severe indiscipline, illegal occupation of government houses and mistreatment of citizens.

The IGP, Kaleem Imam, in his explanation letters, copies of which were obtained by The News, while showing his annoyance asked the Additional Inspector General, CTD, Sindh, Kamran Fazal, that it had been reported to the IGP's office that certain officers of CTD, under the command and control of AIG Fazal, were allegedly repeatedly indulging in extortion, wrongful confinement, torture for illegal gratification and gross indiscipline.

The IGP further added in his explanation letters that it had been observed that AIG CTD Fazal was condoning, rather encouraging, such irregularities for alleged ulterior motives.

The letters further narrated that two SSPs, Bhutto and Almani, trusted officers of AIG Fazal, were caught with ample proof but the AIG tried to hush up the issue. Both the officers were removed from their positions but the illegal activities under AIG Fazal's watch continued unabated. The IGP in his letter also quoted the example of a detainee for which the CTD staff demanded heavy amount of money for his release. The concerned man was recovered by Karachi’s District Central Police from illegal confinement of CTD. IGP Imam also warned AIG Fazal of initiating disciplinary proceedings against him.

In another explanation letter, the Sindh Police chief, quoting a correspondence of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) authorities regarding illegal occupation of a house in PIA Township by gunman Wajid of AIG CTD Fazal, suggested him to take action against the said gunman Wajid.

In another explanation letter, the IGP showed his dissatisfaction upon the alleged irregular reinstatement of SI Sarfraz Gondal of Karachi Police by AIG Kamran Fazal when he was possessing the 'look after' charge of the AIG irregularly. Documentary evidence suggested that the same SI Gondal, who was terminated in June 2017 by AIG Karachi, was irregularly reinstated by incumbent AIG Kamran Fazal as DIG East at that time. The AIG Karachi again terminated SI Gondal who was, for the second time, reinstated by AIG Kamran Fazal.

The IGP Sindh also showed his displeasure through another letter upon the mistreatment of AIG Fazal’s guards with a citizen.

This reporter approached AIG CTD Kamran Fazal and IGP Sindh Dr. Kaleem Imam for their versions and called at their cell numbers and then sent them detailed messages regarding the matter, sent reminders and then waited for two days. Till the filing of this story, both had not responded.