Punjab replaces police chief amid criticism over Bhati Gate well tragedy

PUNJAB:

The federal government has appointed Rao Abdul Kareem as the new Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab, a move that comes in the wake of sustained criticism of the Punjab Police following the Bhati Gate well tragedy, which sparked debate over detention and command responsibility.

Kareem, a BS-21 officer of the Pakistan Police Service, replaces Dr. Usman Anwar, who has been transferred and seconded as Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency.

The notification, issued by the Cabinet Secretariat’s Establishment Division and will be published in the next issue of the Gazette of Pakistan Part-I, said Kareem’s posting is effective immediately and will remain in effect until further orders.

A 24th joint officer, Kareem has previously served as Additional Inspector General Special Branch Punjab and is regarded in police circles as a seasoned and professional officer with wide command, intelligence and operational experience.

Originally from Nawabshah, he joined the Pakistan Police Service in 1996 and has held a number of field and senior management positions. These include postings as Assistant Superintendent of Police UT Sukkur and Sub Divisional Police Officer of Sukkur City, Hyderabad and Chiniot.

Read: Woman, child die when they fall into manhole in Lahore

He later served as Superintendent of Police in Gujranwala, Lahore and Sheikhupura, followed by assignments as District Police Officer in Mianwali, Kasur and Jhang. His senior roles included Deputy Inspector General Traffic Punjab, DIG Telecommunication, Regional Police Officer Gujranwala, Commandant Punjab Constabulary and Additional IG Highway Patrol.

Dr. Usman Anwar, who was appointed IG Punjab in January 2023, was among the longest-serving police chiefs in the province in recent years. During his tenure, he introduced several administrative reforms, including a faster promotion mechanism.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised Anwar’s tenure in an op-ed on X, saying, “Dr Usman’s transformational leadership reshaped the Punjab Police and set new benchmarks in professionalism, reforms and public service.”

Wishing him well in his new role, Naqvi said that when he “takes charge as DG FIA, a new era will begin”, adding that “with his vision and dynamism, the public will witness a real, visible change in the coming months.”

Anwar’s transfer comes amid controversy over allegations of torture raised by Murtaza, Sadia’s husband and father of 10-month-old Rida Fatima, who both drowned after falling into an open manhole near Lahore’s Bhati Gate.

Murtaza was reportedly detained hours after the incident in connection with the case. While the family was allegedly initially silenced during their stay in Lahore, they later alleged after returning to their hometown Shorkot that Murtaza was tortured by the station house officer in the presence of SP City.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif ordered action against five officials from other departments for negligence after the incident attracted public attention.

Following the accusations, an inquiry committee was set up to investigate the circumstances of the case. During the case, police officers reportedly stated that their actions were carried out on instructions from the high command.

Meanwhile, the Lahore High Court has sought response from the Punjab government, Lahore Development Authority (LDA) and other departments on a petition related to the death of a mother and her infant daughter who fell into an open manhole near Bhati Gate last week.

The petition seeking registration of a case against the Punjab Information Minister, a judicial inquiry and action against responsible officials was taken up for hearing. The court directed all respondents to file their responses by March 3.

The Bhati Gate incident has since emerged as a pivotal issue in debates on police oversight, use of force and institutional accountability in Punjab.