LAHORE: The Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) police on Saturday booked five policemen in a kidnap case and arrested two of them.

Green Town police registered a case against CIA police officials, namely ASI Basharat Ali, constables Amin, Akhtar Ali and Razzaq, driver Safdar and a private person, Maqsood, for allegedly kidnapping a Dubai-based citizen Asad Ali from Green Town.

The suspects took the citizen to an unknown location, snatched Rs200,000 from him and released him.

Police registered the case on charges of kidnapping and misuse of authority.

Punjab Police spokesman said ASI Basharat Ali and Constable Amin who were involved in the incident had been arrested while constables Razzaq and Akhtar Ali, driver Safdar and Maqsood would be arrested soon.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Rao Sardar Ali Khan took notice on the issue of involvement of five officials of the Lahore Police CIA Kahna in illegal activities and issued an order to dismiss all the officials. He said there was no place for black sheep in the Punjab Police and strict punishment would be given to those who were involved in corruption and abuse of power. He said the process of departmental accountability in police was being reviewed and it would expel the corrupt elements from the department.

IGP Khan also directed the DIG Investigation to meet the affected citizens and assure strict punishment to the officials involved.

REVIEW: Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Bilal Siddique Kamyana chaired a meeting to review security arrangements for Chinese installations, progress on the arrest of targeted offenders, notorious criminals and crackdown on kite flyers and drug dealers.

DIG Operations retired Capt Sohail Chaudhry, SP Security Rashid Hidayat, all divisional SPs attended the meeting held at the Capital City Police Headquarters.

CCPO Kamyana directed the police officers to ensure implementation of The Punjab Security of Vulnerable Establishment Act in letter and spirit while giving immediate FIRs for non-compliance and violation of security SOPs despite issuance of prior notices. He said security arrangements should be ensured in accordance with the standard operating procedures and security audits of the Chinese installations and residences.

Mr Kamyana further said there should be zero tolerance on kite flying and cases should be registered against kite flyers and sellers without any delay discrimination. He said the sole objective of each and every police officer should be to protect the lives and property of the citizens and provide them with relief.

He said that prompt registration of cases over crimes against property had improved the confidence of citizens in police.

Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2022