SP operations transferred within days.

Byline: Asif Chaudhry

LAHORE -- The Punjab government has prematurely transferred Lahore SSP Operations Faisal Shahzad and posted him as Khanewal DPO against vacant position.

The move seems yet another violation of the 'security of tenure' provided under the Police Order 2002.

Mr Shahzad is the third SSP operations in Lahore whose transfer has been made prematurely during the last one year, an official told Dawn. He was transferred 10 days after his appointment as SSP operations, a move that shows the government's bafflement and disregard for security of tenure.

He said the SSP operations slot was considered a key operational position in the provincial capital as he supervises the force of over 25,000 personnel besides other wings of the police like Dolphin Squad. He said this particular post remained on a low priority of the Punjab government as during the last three to four years, average posting of a police officer (as SSP operations Lahore) remained three to four months.

Concerns about security of tenure, govt nervousness

Consequently, the posting of the SSP operations for a certain period provided under the Police Order 2002 to discharge his duties efficiently remained an unfulfilled dream.

There is an impression in Lahore's police command that since the Lahore DIG operations remains a dominating officer, the SSP operations who is supposed to discharge same functions is considered a 'figurehead'. Another view dispels the impression as some officers say that the case of SSP Investigation is different as he gets posting for a considerable time period, though the DIG Investigation performs somewhat similar role.

The official said the crime rate, law and order situation and VVIP movements were daunting challenges for the senior command of the Lahore police which required postings of the SSP operations for a proper period. He said the transfer of third SSP operations...