Policing the police: the curious case of Abid Boxer.

LAHORE -- The arrest of former Inspector Abid Boxer, once known for his tough stance against 'hardened criminals' in police encounters during the late '90s, has raised serious concerns about the transformation of law enforcement officials into alleged perpetrators of crime.

Boxer, who served with the Organised Crime Unit (OCU), commonly known as CIA, is currently facing allegations related to land grabbing, extortion, and connections with criminal elements both in the city and abroad.

His arrest was officiated by over 60 police officers, led by DSP CIA Iqbal Town Muhammad Ali Butt, DSP OCU Civil Lines Rashid Amin Butt, and Inspector Majid Bashir.

They conducted a raid at his residence in Model Town, acting on information about proclaimed offenders (POs) and hardened criminals.

According to the police, as the officers entered Boxer's house, he, along with his armed private guards and the proclaimed offenders, offered resistance and assaulted the police party.

Subsequently, three separate FIRs emerged in various police stations.

One FIR was registered at Faisal Town police station, accusing Boxer of offering resistance and escaping from police custody after snatching a police rifle.

Another FIR filed at Data Darbar police station accused him of threatening a police officer who was pursuing a murder case against him in court. The third FIR pertained to the abduction of a hotel owner for extortion.

Despite the arrest, OCU/CIA initially denied having Boxer in custody, prompting his wife to approach the Lahore High Court to produce him. Later, it was revealed that he had indeed been apprehended in Kasur.

As Boxer was remanded for seven days in police custody on physical remand, announcements were made in mosques across the city, urging people to come forward with any complaints against him related to land grabbing, extortion, or other charges. Posters with similar messages also appeared in different parts of the city.

The story of Inspector Abid Hussain Qureshi, once celebrated as a 'nightmare for hardened criminals,' transforming into Abid Boxer, an alleged gangster, land...