ISI, Rangers officials involved in IGP Sindh incident suspended: ISPR

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan Army had completed its inquiry regarding the incident of Inspector-General Police Sindh who was allegedly ‘kidnapped’ and forced to issue the arrest warrant of PML-N leader Captain (retired) Safdar.

According to ISPR, the army has completed its court of inquiry and has recommended suspended all concerned persons from their respective responsibilities. It stated that action will be taken against them at the General Headquarters (GHQ).

Chief of Army Staff General Qammar Javed Bajwa had ordered an inquiry after the incident when took place on 18^th October after the violation of the sanctity of the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam where political slogans were raised during a visit by PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz.

“The court of inquiry has established that on the night of Oct 18/Oct 19, officers from Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) and ISI sector Headquarters Karachi were considerably seized with the fall out of the desecration of Mazar-e-Quaid,” said the statement by ISPR.

“They were under increasing public pressure to ensure prompt action as per the law. Assessing the response of police authorities against this developing yet volatile situation to be slow and wanting, in a charged environment, the concerned officers decided to act, rather overzealously,” it added.

“Based on the recommendations of the court of inquiry, it has been decided to remove the concerned officers from their current assignments for further departmental proceedings and disposal at GHQ,” the statement added.

A case was registered against PML-N leader Safdar and he was arrested from a hotel but secured bail a day later. The Sindh government had distanced itself from the incident and claimed that the IGP Sindh was ‘kidnapped’ by a paramilitary force and coerced into ordering the arrest.

The Sindh Police had revolted over the incident and announced to send leave applications in masses before being convinced  Chief Minister Sindh. PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had met with COAS General Bajwa and ISI chief General Faiz Hamid after which the inquiry was ordered.