Pakistan: Top Gilgit-Baltistan cop replaced over ‘clash with Punjab police’

The GB police chief’s swift removal came as a surprise, especially after the Punjab police chief denied that any such confrontation had taken place, reports Dawn News.

According to the notification issued by the Establishment Division, “Mr Muhammad Saeed, a BS-21 officer of Police Service of Pakistan, presently posted as Inspector General Gilgit-Baltistan, is transferred and directed to report to the Establishment Division”.

Another notification said: “Dr Ali Khan Khattak, a BS-20 officer of Police Service of Pakistan presently working under the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is transferred and posted as Inspector General Gilgit-Baltistan, under section 10 of Civil Service Act, 1973.”

Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb had even earlier said a “Gilgit-Baltistan force” was being used to attack Punjab police “who are trying to implement court orders to detain Imran Khan”.

Responding to PTI allegations that law enforcement personnel were firing on Khan’s supporters gathered at Zaman Park, she said the law enforcement officials deploy­­ed there were unarmed.

However, when Dawn News attempted to verify the Centre’s claim regarding the confrontation between police personnel from Punjab and GB, the provincial police chief termed these reports “baseless”.

Talking to Dawn, Punjab IGP Usman Anwar said no clash or confrontation occurred with GB police anywhere in Zaman Park, adding that GB policemen had not pointed their guns at Lahore police personnel.

“When Lahore police was engaged for the purpose, the GB police had gone (back),” the IGP said.