LAHORE – Another decision taken in haste by the Punjab Police Inspector General, the posting orders of newly-appointed Lahore SSP (Operations) Sohail Akhtar Sukhera were cancelled before taking the charge of the top slot.
Overall, the posting orders of three SSPs have been cancelled by the IGP himself within 12 hours shortly after the CCPO Lahore and the Punjab Chief Secretary asked the Chief Minister to reserve the orders. 
On Monday, the IG Punjab Mohammad Habibur Rehman had transferred AIG (Administration), Central Police Office, Sohail Akhter Sukhera and posted him Lahore operations SSP vice Babar Bakht Qureshi who has been transferred and posted SSP Lahore Investigation against an existing vacancy.
Similarly, Investigation SSP Tariq Nawaz Malik was also transferred and posted AIG (Development) Punjab against an existing vacancy while Punjab Elite Police Force SSP Lt Muhammad Kamal (retired) was transferred and posted AIG (Administration).
“Yes, the orders of SSP Sohail Sukhera, SSP Tariq Nawaz Malik and SSP Muhammad Kamal were cancelled on Monday night shortly after a senior functionary of the Punjab govt directed the IGP to do the same,” an informed source told TheNation.
A former IG Punjab told this scribe, such steps taken by the provincial police chief itself shows how much the top boss is powerless with the hands of power corridors of the PML-N led provincial government. “The Punjab Capital badly needs aggressive police officers at this time, and of course Mr. Sukhera is the most aggressive police officers,” he said, adding he had shot dead not less than 35 most wanted desperate criminals during his posting as ASP and SP.
“I was commanding the Punjab Police then, and I know he was slim at that time and gunned down three desperate criminals in Iqbal Town, two in Nawankot, four in Civil Lines, 21 in Daska, two in Misri Shah, two in Mughalpura and one in Kot Lakhpat. Owing to such moves, he was also attacked by the criminals, but fortunately he survived.  
A senior police officer, seeking anonymity, said that minutes after knowing about the development, the Lahore CCPO Addl. IG Police Aslam Tareen left his office in protest, showing reservations on the decision of the posting of Mr. Sukhera as SSP operations Lahore, and went to home on Monday. “He even phoned his staff and asked them to collect his personal articles and files, and shift them to his official residence, giving them a clear cut message that he would not continue as CCPO Lahore until or unless the orders are cancelled,” they affirmed.
Well-placed sources said that the same CCPO Lahore had expressed his strong reservations on the posting of SSP (Development) Chaudhary Shafiq Ahmed Gujjar on the top slot of DIG Investigation Lahore. “Sheikhupura Range DIG Zulfiqar Cheema frequently asked the CCPO Lahore to minimize his reservation and assured the CCPO that Mr. Shafiq will never disturb him,” they said, adding Mr. Cheema then engaged three to four senior police officers of his rank besides building pressure by maneuvering some veteran politicians. Mr. Tareen, then okayed the posting of Chaudhary Shafiq Ahmed Gujjar but straightforwardly refused to accept any other posting of their choice. “The posting of SSP Sohail Akhtar Sukhera strongly irritated Mr Tareen, which ultimately resulted into the cancellation of his orders,” they stated.
Believe it or not, Sohail Akhtar Sukhera was the sixth senior police officer posted at the top lucrative slot as at least five operations SSPs have been posted and transferred during the last 16 month.
Those SSPs, who fell prey to the ‘desires and decisions’ top bosses include: Captain Muhammad Faisal Rana (retired), Shaukat Abbas, Sarfraz Ahmad Falki, Captain Sajjad Hassan Manj (retired), Baber Bakht Qureshi and recently Sohail Akhtar Sukhera.
A senior police officer, requesting anonymity, said that although the IG Punjab has frequently admitted that surprise reshuffling in Lahore police setup may result into the hike in heinous crimes, but yet he is posting and canceling orders of the SSPs, triggering a panic among the PSP Class.
Wife’s killer in serious condition: The condition of the man, who had attempted suicide after killing his 25-year-old wife over domestic issue inside the bank on Monday morning, is also serious at the hospital, paramedical staffer say.
According to the details, one Irfan Zaman of Peshawar had entered into a commercial bank, shot dead his wife, Finance and Credit Officer Rabia Bibi, and later attempted suicide by shooting himself in the Township police area. Police said Rabia Bibi of Bhakar had contracted love-marriage with the killer a few months ago, but developed differences and submitted couple of complaints with the police stations concerned. The step further infuriated the culprit, who finally closed the chapter of his wife.
The girl died instantly while the culprit while in serious condition was rushed to a local hospital where his condition was also told in danger. The paramedical staffers say he has been shifted to ICU but there is a minor chance of his survival.
The body of the deceased girl, however, has been removed to her paternal village Bhakar after police completed necessary medico-legal formalities. Further investigation is underway.
FIRE: Fire broke out at the tents erected outside the Iranian Consulate at the Canal on Tuesday evening, following short circuiting. The rescue officials, however, reached the spot and extinguished it within no time. No loss of life or property was reported into the incident.
SEVEN BOOKED: Lytton Road police booked seven accused on charges of kidnapping and thrashing a boy on Tuesday. As per details, one Shahzad of Bagh Gull Begum was allegedly kidnapped by his rival party Javed and others on domestic scuffle. Police have registered an FIR against seven persons on the statement of Shahzad with no arrest till filing of this report.