Karachi, 11 Oct 2023:The recent kidnapping of six policemen from Kot Shahu, District Shikarpur, including the Station House Officer (SHO), has provoked an emphatic response from Caretaker Sindh Chief Minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar. The directive from the Chief Minister House, Sindh emphasizes a three-day timeframe for the recovery of the kidnapped officers and mandates an explanation from the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in connection with the incident.

Conveying his dissatisfaction with the vulnerabilities evident in police station security and the apparent ease with which dacoits were able to execute the kidnapping, the Chief Minister highlighted concerns over the effectiveness of district-level police command. The criticisms extend to operational practices, with observations that numerous SSPs eschew office attendance, conducting their policing responsibilities from their residences – a factor perceived to be contributing to the current challenging circumstances.

In a decisive telephone conversation with the Inspector General (IG) of Police, Justice Baqar directed an immediate visit to the Shikarpur district, imposing a three-day limit for the recovery of the kidnapped policemen. The IG Police has also been instructed to issue formal explanations to both the DIG Larkano and SSP Shikarpur, questioning their respective failures to adequately fortify police station defenses and ensure officer safety.

Firmly articulating that there is no place for inefficiency or unwillingness among the police ranks, the interim Chief Minister advocated for the replacement of ineffectual officers with those possessing the requisite efficacy. Justice Baqar expressed regret that such incidents tarnish the reputation of the government and negatively impact perceptions of governance. Concurrently, the IG Police has been ordered to undertake an inquiry into the kidnapping incident and report back to the Chief Minister.