Sahiwal Police crackdown drive, Sub-inspector held over Rs40,000 bribe

According to officials, a special facility has been introduced on the Punjab Emergency Helpline 15 to provide immediate psychological support.

LAHORE: The Sahiwal police have intensified their accountability drive, with two officers facing action within 24 hours in separate incidents involving alleged misconduct and bribery.

The actions were taken under the supervision of Regional Police Officer (RPO) Sahiwal DIG Rana Ayaz Saleem, who has directed officials to adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards corruption, misuse of authority and negligence in the performance of duty.

In the first case, Inspector Waqas Ahmed, who had served as Station House Officer (SHO) at Qabula Police Station, was transferred after a criminal case was registered at the station over an alleged incident of wrongful confinement. Sources said the inspector was subsequently sent to jail.

According to FIR No. 6, registered at Qabula Police Station on September 3, information was received that Muhammad Riaz, son of Muhammad Ayoob and a resident of Chak 48/10-R, Sahiwal, had allegedly confined his wife inside a room at his residence.

Police officials, led by ASI Rana Muhammad Arshad, reached the location after receiving the information. The FIR states that officers entered the house, recovered the woman and arrested the suspect.

A case was registered under Section 342 of the Pakistan Penal Code, relating to wrongful confinement, along with Section 155-C of the Police Act. The accused was produced before the court on September 4 for physical remand.

Following the registration of the case, DIG Rana Ayaz Saleem ordered action against Inspector Waqas Ahmed, who had previously been posted as SHO of Qabula Police Station and had reportedly been transferred back to the same station.

In a separate development, the Anti-Corruption Establishment arrested Rana Ashiq Ali Haider, a Sub-Inspector serving as in-charge of Mor Khanda Police Post, during an operation over an alleged bribe of Rs40,000.

According to the Anti-Corruption Establishment, the officer was apprehended while allegedly receiving the bribe. The suspected bribe money was recovered during the operation, while further legal proceedings are being conducted.

The back-to-back actions have underscored the Sahiwal police leadership’s stated commitment to tightening accountability within the department. Officials familiar with the developments said the measures were intended to reinforce the principle that disciplinary standards apply to officers irrespective of their rank or position.

DIG Rana Ayaz Saleem has also directed the DPOs of Sahiwal, Okara and Pakpattan to closely monitor the conduct of police station heads, ensure transparent handling of public complaints and take prompt action wherever misconduct, negligence or abuse of authority is established.

The latest developments come amid broader efforts by the Punjab government and police authorities to strengthen internal accountability and improve public confidence in law-enforcement institutions.