ISLAMABAD: Departmental action has been initiated against more than 100 police officials of different ranks for being absent from duty during the recent protest staged by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI).

Officials of the capital police told Dawn that about 118 police officials were not present at the points where they were deployed for law and order duties.

These officials were facing major punishment including dismissal from service, officials said, adding that the personnel included 83 constables, 23 lady constables, five head constables, four ASIs, two SIs, and an inspector.

Out of the total 118 officials, 28 officials were deployed at Khayaban Chowk, followed by 21 at F-10 Roundabout, 15 at Kalsoom Plaza Chowk, 13 at Project Mor, nine each at Seventh Avenue Interchange and Zero Point, six at Margalla Road picket, five each at Faisal Chowk and Pakistan Chowk, three at Facto Road, two at Shaheen Chowk, one each at Margalla link road and Fatehjhang Road.

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Among these 118 officials, 30 officials were from Dolphin Squad, followed by 28 from Special Protection Unit, 14 from Diplomatic Protection Department, 10 from Counter Terrorism Department, five each from Special Branch and Kirpa police station, four from High Security Zone, three each from Police Lines Headquarters, and Industrial Area police station, two each from Rescue-15 and Women police station, and one each from Parliament Lodges, and Koral police station, Investigation Wing, Sabzi Mandi Police Station, Islamabad Traffic Police, Shams Colony, Tarnol and Sangjani police stations, while three from other units.

The absence of these officials from their duty points was brought to the knowledge of the office of inspector general of police. It decided to take action against them, and in this regard a letter was sent to DIGs Islamabad, Security, Law and Order and Safe City along with AIGs Logistics and Special Branch recommending disciplinary action against the absent officers.

The letter stated as directed by the IGP Islamabad, all those officials who remained absent during the recent law and order situation may be awarded major punishment which include dismissal or removal from services after fulfilling all codal formalities as envisaged in the rules, and outcome of the action taken against such officers may be shared with the IG office as early as possible.

Police officers told Dawn that the officials who remained absent from their duties are being served with show-cause notices by the heads of their divisions and units concerned.

They should be asked to explain why they were absent from duties on the particular day, they added.

They said will be asked to appear before an inquiry committee and give their version, the officers said, adding that the inquiry committee will decide their fate.

Published in Dawn, December 5th, 2024