Punjab replaces police chief amid criticism over Bhati Gate sewer tragedy

PUNJAB:

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

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

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

An officer of 24 Common, Kareem previously served as Additional Inspector General of Punjab Special Branch and is regarded within police circles as an experienced and professional officer with extensive operational, intelligence and command experience.

Originally from Nawabshah, he joined the Pakistan Police Service in 1996 and has held various field and senior management positions. These include positions such as Deputy Superintendent of Police of UT Sukkur and Sub-Divisional Police Officer in Sukkur city, Hyderabad and Chiniot.

Read: Woman and child die after falling into sewer 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 primary duties included Deputy Inspector General Punjab Traffic, DIG Telecommunication, Regional Police Officer Gujranwala, Commander Punjab Police and Additional IG Highway Patrol.

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

Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi praised Anwar’s tenure in a post on

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

Anwar’s transfer comes amid controversy over torture allegations raised by Murtaza, Sadia’s husband and father of 10-month-old Rida Fatima, who 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 initially allegedly pressured to remain silent during their stay in Lahore, they later alleged, after returning to their hometown of 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 of other departments for negligence after the incident caught public attention.

Following the accusations, a commission of inquiry was formed to examine the circumstances of the case. During the procedure, the police officers reportedly stated that their actions had been carried out following instructions from a high command.

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

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

The Bhati Gate incident has since become a defining issue in debates over police oversight, use of force and institutional accountability in Punjab.