RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMBAD: Superintendent of Police (SSP) Islamabad Muhammad Ali Nekukara has quit his job following his serious differences with Interior Ministry over the handling of law and order situation in the Red Zone of Islamabad.

The sources privy to this highly important development told Business Recorder that the interior ministry bypassed SSP (operations) Islamabad before ordering a crackdown on protesters and issued directives to his juniors to fire teargas and rubber bullets on protesters.

They said that instead of consulting SSP Nekukara, the interior ministry directed two of his juniors, SP Captain Muhammad Ilyas (retd) and Mustansir Feroz to start the operation, which left three dead and over 500 injured.

According to sources, the SSP refused to continue the job any further and applied for leave, making it clear to the government that he is no more interested in his job. Following his refusal, the interior ministry decided to give the charge of SSP (operations) to Captain Muhammad Ilyas (retd), who also showed his inability.

“I’ve also said no as this was simply not possible for me to go ahead with the job in the present circumstances,” Captain Ilyas confirmed.

However, the interior ministry gave the charge of SSP (operations) to an over 6 feet tall Asmatullah Janjua, commonly known as “dabang or powerful’. Janjua is currently SSP traffic with the additional charge of anti-riots force of ICT police.

Besides the two top male police officers, moreover, a woman deputy superintendent police (DSP) of Punjab Police also rendered her resignation in protest against Islamabad violence.

DSP Khadija Tasnim of Punjab Police, who was deputed in capital in the wake of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) sit-ins against the government, declared there was no point to stay in police uniform after unarmed protesters were subjected to ‘inhuman treatment’ by police.

“The government is lying about the number of casualties. I’m leaving my job and will join Imran Khan in his fight for ‘a new Pakistan,’ she added.

Some days back, Inspector General Police (IGP) Islamabad Aftab Ahmad Cheema was removed from his post under highly controversial circumstance. He was said to have refused to launch a crackdown on PTI and PAT protesters.

PTI chairman Imran Khan appreciated the bravery of lady police officer and her male counterparts for refusing to carry on what he called ‘illegal orders’ of the government. He urged all civil servants that they must not carry out any illegal orders of rulers.