DSP who investigated May 9 cases removed within 24 hours

PESHAWAR: Political interference in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police has reached to a stage that an officer who had investigated May 9 cases was removed within 24 hours after leaders and workers of the ruling party opposed his posting.

Wajid Shah, Deputy Commandant of the Campus Peace Corps, was posted as Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Yakkatoot in the provincial capital on April 3. Seven other police officers were also given new posting in the notification.

A source said that the lawmakers and workers of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protested posting of the new SDPO Yakatoot and put pressure on the senior police officers to cancel his order.

The source said the PTI lawmakers were angry at Wajid Shah for investigating cases against their workers in the past.

The capital city police authorities on April 4 cancelled the posting of Wajid Shah under alleged political pressure while the rest of the officers continued to perform as per the April 3 notification.

No reason was mentioned for cancellation of his posting as SDPO Yakkatoot, which needs a competent officer to curb soaring crimes in this locality.

A source said that the cop in question was the investigation officer of May 9 cases lodged after protests and attacks on Radio Pakistan and Election Commission of Pakistan building and other offices. Separate FIRs were registered at East Cantt Police Station against senior PTI leaders including MNA Asif Khan, provincial minister Meena Khan Afridi, ex district nazim Asim Khan, MPA Fazal Ilahi and others.

Like many other such cops, he has not been given key assignments in recent months.

When contacted, an official denied political interference in the affairs of the force and said transfer and posting was a routine matter.

The KP Police registered cases against some PTI leaders and workers across the province before the general election on the orders of the senior officials. Some of the cops who lodged and investigated these cases are still facing the music.

The political interference in affairs of the force especially posting and transfer has already affected the performance of the force and many districts are facing poor law and order.

The KP Police was the first force that was depoliticised during the first term of the PTI government after the 2013 general election. However, political interference increased in the affairs of the force after the Police Act was amended last year.