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‘Operation Al-Badr to purge S Punjab of outlaws’

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‘Operation Al-Badr to purge S Punjab of outlaws’

Synopsis

Head of South Punjab Police and architect of operation Al-Badr, Dr Ehsan Sadiq

Dr Ehsan Sadiq, a senior police officer of grade-21, has recently been appointed as Additional IG Police South Punjab – a post created by PTI Punjab Government after the establishment of a separate secretariat at Multan to address issues of 11 districts of South Punjab.

Sadiq is the third police officer to head the South Punjab Police since the post was created a few years back.

Belonging to 19th Common of Police Service of Pakistan, Dr Ehsan Sadiq has earned the reputation of being a dutiful and an honest police officer throughout his 25-year career. In the line of duty, Sadiq has served in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Sindh, Punjab and in the Federal Government on many important posts including Additional Director General Federal Investigation Agency, Deputy Director General Intelligence Bureau, Deputy Inspector General of Police (Investigation), Regional Police Officer Bahawalpur, Director General (Counter-Terrorism), National Counter Terrorism Authority, DIG Security Division, AIG Islamabad Police and DPO Okara, etc.

A Chevening fellow, Sadiq is a learned man who has a Ph.D in Police Culture. As ASP Karachi, he participated in the famous Karachi operation of the 1990s. Later, as superintendent police, he established the first ever Diplomatic and VVIP Security Department in Islamabad which was later emulated in other major cities. Similarly, As first ever SP Investigation of Islamabad Police, Sadiq established the Investigation Wing, as envisaged in Police Order 2002, which, too, was later replicated across Pakistan.

He was the key figure in preparation of the Manual of Guidelines on Police Reforms to Gender Based Violence and also proposed the establishment of the Federal Gender Crime Monitoring Cell in the National Police Bureau, after the Mukhtaran Mai Case.

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As Director General NACTA, he played a key role in building consensus on the NACTA Act among all stakeholders while as Director Security PCB, he prepared a security plan for Pakistan Super League as per the requirements of the International Cricket Council (ICC) which later enabled restoration of international cricket in the country.

As Addl. DG FIA, Sadiq headed the biggest ever money laundering investigations into fake accounts/Omni Group against former President Asif Ali Zardari and other top leadership of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). Throughout his career, the issue of police reforms has always been an area of constant and immense interest for Sadiq.

Bol News speaks exclusively to Dr Ehsan Sadiq this week to know about his new role and the challenges he is faced with as South Punjab Police chief.

Q

What is the crime scene like in South Punjab?

 

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ES: South Punjab has 11 districts with a population of around 40 million people. There are over 200 police stations in South Punjab districts. Since the borders of this region touch with Sindh, Balochistan and KPK provinces, crimes of every nature are being committed in the area because of large influx of people across the territory. Historically, the area has also witnessed a large-scale sectarian violence as well terrorism and other hardcore crimes as well, including crimes related to narcotics, honor killings and child abuse. Dacoity and robbery is also rampant in South Punjab.

Because of the geography of the area, hardcore criminals operate in gangs such as the Laadi Gang, which often hides away in the mountains and in the vast forest situated alongside the Indus River which creates difficulties for the police and other law enforcement agencies in apprehending these criminals.

 

Q

What is the total strength of police in South Punjab?

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ES: We have around 21,000 police personnel for the 210 police stations of 11 districts, which is much shorter than the required number for the area which falls under my command.

 

Q

What are your major goals as South Punjab Police chief?

 

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ES: Being head of South Punjab police, my major focus has been on improving the law & order and to control crimes in the area. After Eid, we have a plan to launch a massive operation against those criminals hiding in the mountains and in forests alongside the mighty Indus. For this purpose, I will visit all the bordering districts of other provinces to formulate a comprehensive joint strategy to deal with the matter.

 

Q

What actions are being taken to achieve these goals?

 

ES: In order to curb the rising crime rate in South Punjab, I have launched the biggest operation in history named ‘Al-Badr’. The target of the operation would be to apprehend more than 14,700 criminals earlier booked under robbery and dacoity [sections 392 and 395 of the PPC] since 2017 up to 2021, and who eventually got released on bail.

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The entire police of South Punjab has been mobilized to take action against 5783 criminals in the Multan region, 4079 in Bahawalpur and 4898 criminals in Dera Ghazi Khan. We have worked day in and day out to prepare the list of 14,700 criminals, [repeat-offenders] as well as members of the gangs involved in organized crimes such as murder, terrorism and drugs etc.

 

Q

Why has the major focus been on repeat offenders in the ongoing operation?

ES: We had the data but didn’t use it earlier. Going through the data, it was revealed that thousands of criminals are repeat offenders and they commit crimes at their will after getting bail. Noticing this trend, we have prepared a list of offenders of the past five years who had served jail terms on multiple occasions. Our police teams have been advised to visit the residence of each repeat offender and knock at their doors to check their whereabouts and to keep a close eye on them.

As per the Operation Al-Badr, we have also decided to take strict action against the guarantors of some of these criminals as well as those who protect such people. The police have also compiled a list of 400 active gangs of the area besides a list of Proclaimed Offenders (POs) has also been shared with sensitive agencies for their help.

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Q

How many departments/agencies are assisting police in Operation Al-Badr?

ES: We have complete support of the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) special branch and CIA police staff. We have also shared our lists with the Intelligence Bureau which is assisting police to check whereabouts of the repeat offenders and hardcore criminals.

The police liaison and information system of all the districts of South Punjab have also been made effective. A central control room has been set up in the office of Additional Inspector General of Police South Punjab for this purpose and all police stations have been directed to curb illegal activities. I have further issued an order to tighten the surveillance of inter-provincial borders with the help of Sindh, Balochistan and KPK police as well.

 

Q

How confident are you about the success of Operation Al-Badr?

ES: I have a firm belief that this operation will surely yield positive results as tightening screws around the neck of repeat offenders will definitely help in controlling crime in this region (South Punjab). I have named this operation as Al-Badr keeping in mind the holy month of Ramzan and the importance of battle of Badr fought by Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions. This name will surely help to boost the morale of the police personnel as well. Within a couple of days, since the start of the operation on April 26th, we have managed to arrest as many as 370 criminals.

I strongly believe that once repeat offenders are apprehended, the crime rate would surely come down which will help police to deal with other hardcore criminals of the area.

 

Q
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What are your standing instructions to the policemen serving under you here?

ES: Police play a vital role in a society towards protection of lives, property, honor of people, maintenance of public order and security. To undertake these functions effectively, law provides a number of discretionary powers to the police officers and at times, such powers may also infringe upon the fundamental rights of citizens. That’s why I have issued guidelines for police officials to adhere to the constitution, uphold the rule of law, respect the human rights, protect the vulnerable groups, be responsive to people’s complaints, and must observe highest standards of integrity, professionalism, discipline and personal conduct to earn the respect of all citizens.

 

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