Latest news with #SindhPolice
Express Tribune
13-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Rangers official booked for alleged murder of cop
A paramilitary Rangers official has been booked for allegedly murdering a police constable posted at the Gulshan-e-Maymar police station. The FIR was registered at the Site-A police station on the complaint of the victim's father, Sub-Inspector Nazir Hussain. According to Nazir, his 30-year-old son, Waseem Akhtar, was serving in the Sindh Police as a constable. Around 9:30am on Thursday, Waseem left home for duty on his motorcycle. At around 1pm, Nazir received a phone call informing him that a message circulating in a WhatsApp group claimed that his son had been killed. When he tried calling Waseem's mobile phone, the call was answered by SHO Site-A Imran Afridi, who asked him to rush to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. Nazir was taken to the mortuary, where he identified his son's body. Nazir said that Waseem had gunshot wounds on his right arm and chest. Nazir said his son was riding his motorcycle on Manghopir Road, in the SITE area, when he was stopped by an armed motorcyclist, who reportedly opened fire without provocation, striking Waseem in the chest and arm. Waseem returned fire in self-defence and is believed to have injured the assailant in the leg. Nazir further stated that he later came to know through media reports that the shooter was identified as a paramilitary Rangers soldier named Noman. He alleged that Noman fatally shot his son without any known reason. Police registered FIR under Section 302 (premeditated murder) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Express Tribune
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Top govt depts face heat in ombudsman's report 2024
Sindh Police and the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) are among the top nine government departments that received the highest number of public complaints in Sindh, according to the Provincial Ombudsman's Annual Report for 2024. The report strongly recommends curbing political influence in the recruitment, transfers, and postings of government employees. Provincial Ombudsman Sohail Rajput recently submitted the report to Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. Other departments on the list include the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation, Accountant General Sindh, Health, School Education, Revenue, and Local Government departments. According to the report, over 50 per cent of the total 9,151 complaints received in 2024 were directed at these nine departments. A staggering 6,620 grievances were lodged against them. The primary complaint against SBCA was its failure to control illegal constructions, particularly in the city's residential areas. "People continuously seek redressal for these issues, which have grown significantly over time especially in Karachi, the country's economic hub," the report stated. To tackle the problem, the Ombudsman recommended halting frequent transfers and postings within SBCA to ensure accountability. It also advised encouraging construction on the city's outskirts to reduce unauthorised development within the urban core. The police department came under heavy criticism for not registering FIRs in cognisable offenses, making illegal arrests, corruption, abuse of power, and difficulties in obtaining driving licenses. The report stated that the department remains "highly politicised and under the control of politicians." To address this, the report urged the provincial government to minimise unnecessary transfers and removals of police officers and to ensure merit-based recruitment. It also recommended setting up Citizen-Police Liaison Committees in all districts. The School Education Department was also flagged for political interference in appointments and postings. "Such influence results in the selection of personnel based on loyalty rather than merit," the report noted. Complaints against the education sector mainly concerned teacher shortages in remote areas, absenteeism, misuse of School Management Committee (SMC) funds, and the lack of basic amenities such as drinking water, electricity, bathrooms, furniture, and boundary walls particularly in girls' schools.
Arab News
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Thousands of security personnel, including army, deployed across Pakistan for Ashura processions
KARACHI: Thousands of security personnel have been deployed across the country today, Sunday, as mourners in Pakistan take out religious processions to pay tribute to Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Pakistan's government takes stringent security measures every year in Muharram as militants have attacked religious processions during the Islamic month in the past. Hundreds of thousands of Shia Muslims organize religious processions in Muharram, especially on the 10th of the month, to pay tribute to Hussain, who was killed in the Battle of Karbala. In a statement on social media platform X, Punjab Police said its officers and personnel are performing their duties despite the rain and are using CCTV cameras to monitor processions. 'Over 134,000 officers and personnel of the Punjab Police have been deployed for the security of processions and gatherings,' the statement said. It said over 10,000 police personnel have been deployed in the provincial capital of Lahore for the security of religious processions and gatherings on Ashura. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah's office said over 1,400 processions were held in the province on Sunday under strict security arrangements. 'Regarding security deployment, Murad Shah stated that approximately 50,000 police personnel were deployed across Sindh, with about 6,000 assigned specifically to the central procession,' the statement said. In a separate statement, the office of Sindh's deputy inspector general of police in Sukkur said three major processions will be held in Sukkur, Rohri and Pano Aqil areas today, in addition to 43 smaller and larger processions across the district. 'To ensure security, over 4,000 male and female police personnel, along with Rangers and three standby army companies have been deployed,' the statement said. Islamabad Police spokesperson said 12 processions and 48 religious gatherings are being held across the capital city. The spokesperson said over 4,000 police officers and personnel have been deployed throughout the capital to ensure security. Karachi's police chief Javed Alam Odho told reporters that over 20,000 personnel have been deployed in various parts of the city for Muharram 10 rallies and processions. He said personnel of the Special Branch, Counterterrorism Department Sindh and the paramilitary Rangers were also performing security duties.
Express Tribune
18-06-2025
- Express Tribune
Underage hires in Sindh police raise serious legal questions
Listen to article A newly released seniority list of grade-16 police inspectors in Sindh has exposed serious irregularities in the recruitment process, including the appointment of officers below the legal minimum age of 18. The findings have cast fresh doubt on the transparency of hiring within Sindh Police, with some officers reportedly inducted at ages as young as 16. Under Pakistan's 'Civil Servants (Appointment, Promotion and Transfer) Rules, 1973', the minimum age for public service is 18. However, according to the list issued by Inspector General of Sindh Police Ghulam Nabi Memon, several serving officers were recruited well before meeting this legal age. One officer, Mehboob Ali Mithani, was reportedly hired at 16 years, 10 months, and 11 days old. Another, Babar Ali Sheikh, joined at just 16 years and 3 months. Other names, including Imtiaz Ali Thebo, Zahoor Ahmed Lashari, and Shah Jehan Lashari, also appeared in the list with ages under 17 at the time of hiring. Read: Seniority list of DSPs raises eyebrows Meanwhile, the same department recently declared three applicants ineligible for recruitment solely for exceeding the upper age limit by a few days or months. Among them, Shehzad Khan missed eligibility by five days, Farhan Ali Ahmed by three months and 12 days, and Noor Muhammad by just one month. The inconsistency has triggered criticism over a clear double standard in enforcing age regulations. While some were disqualified for minor overage, others with significant age shortfalls were recruited and later promoted to senior ranks. The list also includes officers who barely met the age threshold, such as Mumtaz Rahoo (18 years, 2 days) and Qamaruzzaman (18 years, 6 days). Observers say that if past recruitments are properly scrutinised, the list of violations would include hundreds rather than dozens of names. Questions have also been raised about the recruitment boards and appointment committees involved in approving such cases. If these irregularities stem from documentation errors, critics say, those responsible must be held accountable. Express News previously reported similar issues in a separate seniority list of 500 deputy superintendents of police (DSPs), revealing discrepancies in age, appointment dates, and alleged out-of-turn promotions. Many of these individuals are now in powerful positions, enjoying salaries, government vehicles, and other benefits — despite questionable eligibility at the time of their appointment.
Express Tribune
19-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Over 100 addicts escape as mob storms rehab centre
A drug addicts rehabilitation in Orangi Town was attacked by an angry mob on Saturday night, leading to the escape of over 125 patients undergoing treatment. The "Sunshine Rehab Centre," reportedly managed by Sindh Police officer Abdul Khaliq Ansari, came under siege from residents of the surrounding Faqir Colony, who expressed longstanding grievances against the facility. According to police, the mob stormed the centre, assaulted staff, vandalised property, and attacked a police vehicle. The police mobile was damaged during the vandalism. Police confirmed that an FIR has been registered at Mominabad police station, and a search operation is underway to locate the escaped patients. According to PS Mominabad SHO Meraj Anwar, initial investigations suggest the attack was not carried out by drug traffickers but rather by local residents frustrated with the behaviour of addicts. They had reportedly raised multiple complaints about theft, vandalism, and general disturbances allegedly caused by addicts escaping the rehab centre and trespassing into nearby homes. "The rehabilitation centre is located in a densely populated area, and the residents claim they have been living in fear and inconvenience for months," said SHO Anwar. According to the FIR, 50 to 150 unidentified assailants - including seven named suspects: Muhammad Shakeel, Aslam Boxer, Abid Rehmat, Muhammad Saeed, Qari Azhar, Khalid Shah, and Abrar - stormed the centre, many armed with guns, sticks, and stones. The mob allegedly broke into the patient barracks, facilitating the escape of 117, and damaged property, including LED screens, fans, a water dispenser, chairs, and government vehicles. Rs85,000 in cash was also reported stolen during the chaos. Police stated that before the attack, several patients had escaped the facility by jumping over the boundary walls, prompting local residents to raise security concerns. Despite initial assurances from the centre's management to apprehend the escapees and tighten security, the situation worsened when more residents arrived and forced their entry into the premises. In response to the incident, local residents staged a protest outside the centre again on Sunday. Many demanded the immediate closure of the facility, accusing it of mismanagement and criminal activity. Speaking during the protest, Town Vice Chairman Abdullah Baloch alleged that although the centre was initially opened to provide free treatment five years ago, it now charges huge fees from patients' families. He further claimed that illicit drugs are being sold within the centre and that those undergoing treatment are subjected to harsh and inhumane treatment. "Due to this cruelty, patients often flee the centre and enter nearby homes, leading to panic and anger among residents," said Baloch. He alleged that shots were fired inside the facility during Saturday's incident, putting lives at risk. Union Council Chairman Mumtaz Tanoli echoed these concerns. "No one truly knows what is happening inside the centre anymore," he said. "When residents approached the facility with complaints, they were reportedly fired upon instead of being heard. This act provoked further anger and led to the unfortunate confrontation." Tanoli demanded the withdrawal of the FIR, which he claimed wrongly implicated local residents as drug dealers. He called for a thorough investigation into the centre's operations and accountability for any misconduct. Police have registered the case under multiple charges, including rioting, vandalism, assault, attempted murder, issuing threats, and destruction of government property. Meanwhile, the search for the escaped patients continues, and the future of the rehabilitation centre remains uncertain as authorities assess the situation and weigh residents' concerns.
