ISLAMABAD:
The Pakistani army on Tuesday announced the sacking of officers involved in the “Karachi incident” that preceded the arrest of PML-N leader Captain (retired) Safdar on the morning of October 19 in the port city.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the military media wing stated that their decision to remove them was taken on the recommendation of the Court of Inquiry. Officers will be removed from their current duties for further departmental processes and disposal at GHQ.
The investigation, which was carried out on the orders of Army Chief of Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, regarding the problem of resolving the IG Sindh complaint in the background of the Karachi incident on 18 October 2020 has been completed, the statement said.
“The Court of Inquiry has determined that on the evening of 18/19 October officers from Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) and ISI Karachi sector Headquarters were significantly arrested for the desecration of Mazar-e-Quaid. They are under increasing public pressure to ensure prompt action is appropriate. the law, “added the ISPR statement.
“Judging the response of the police authorities to this developing but uncertain situation as slowing down and wanting, in a demanding environment, the ISI / Rangers officers concerned decide to act, a little too excited. They are experienced enough to act more cautiously and can. has avoided creating unwarranted situations that lead to misunderstandings between the two state institutions, “the release continued.
Arrest, what happened next
On the morning of October 19, the Sindh Police was arrested son-in-law of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Captain Safdar from his hotel room in Karachi.
The arrests came in response to a case filed by the local Pakistani MPA Tehreek-e-Insaf against Maryam Nawaz, Captain (retired) Safdar and other PML-N leaders for violating the sanctity of the Quaid mausoleum, on the day of the Pakistan Democratic Movement. (PDM) power show in Karachi on October 18.
In the events that followed the arrests, PML-N and PPP demanded an explanation and investigation after the news that Sindh IG Mushtaq Mahar ordered the arrest of Capt Sardar ‘under duress’ to start a round. The chief minister of Sindh also ordered to inquire about this matter.
Later, speaking to the media after the press conference of the Sindh chief minister, Bilawal revealed that top Sindh police officials including IGP Mushataq Mahar had decided to go on a two-month leave due to “ridicule and mishandling”.
“Sindh police officers will be on leave not because they were pressured by the Sindh government but by other parties,” Bilawal said, without naming anyone.
Condemning the way Safdar was arrested as “shameful”, Bilawal said he could not condemn him enough. “I am shy [and] can’t show my face for what has happened in my province, “he added.
“Harassing them (Maryam and Safdar) in the morning and arresting Safdar is an insult to the Sindh people who invited Maryam sahiba and the N-league delegation to attend the PDM jalsa,” said the PPP leader.
The PPP chairman said the aim of his press conference was to express solidarity with the Sindh police to boost their morale. “We can also carry out investigations, but it would be more appropriate if the TNI Commander and the ISI Commander also took action,” he added.
“Who was the person who surrounded the Sindh IGP house at 4 am?” He asked.
Immediately after his press conference, the commander of the army call him to discuss the “Karachi incident”.