DIG Sukkur’s letter urged an immediate explanation from SP Ghotki, warning that his engagement with criminals undermines LEAs efforts, jeopardizes public safety, and damages the morale of police force

SUKKUR – In a letter addressed to IGP Sindh Ghulam Nabi Memon, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Sukkur, Syed Peer Muhammad Shah, expressed serious concerns regarding the actions of Senior Superintendent of Police (SP) Ghotki, Hafeez-ur-Rehman, accusing him of engaging with notorious criminals. DIG Shah highlighted the dangerous implications of SP Ghotki’s attempts to negotiate with these criminals, who have been involved in heinous crimes such as the killing of police officers, kidnapping for ransom, and looting police weapons.
In the letter, DIG Shah warned that these criminals have been carrying out such activities for over a decade, and their actions have recently escalated as they have acquired advanced weaponry, making them more audacious in their attacks. While the surrender of criminals to the justice system is generally seen as a positive step, DIG Shah emphasized that acquiescing to their demands sets a dangerous precedent, especially given their long history of defying the law and targeting law enforcement.
The DIG further noted that these criminals are responsible for the deaths of police officers and innocent civilians, as well as numerous other offenses. He drew a distinction between efforts to reconcile tribal disputes, such as the recent Solangi-Jagirani and Sundrani-Sawand feuds, and the current situation, where law enforcement is dealing with hardened criminals, not warring tribes. He stressed that engaging with such elements under the guise of bringing peace, especially when it involves coercion of communities to accept private resolutions, constitutes grave misconduct.
DIG Sukkur’s letter urged an immediate explanation from SP Ghotki, warning that his engagement with these criminal elements undermines law enforcement efforts, jeopardizes public safety, and damages the morale of the police force. He emphasized that the criminals responsible for killing six police officers earlier this year were being treated favorably, which has demoralized Ghotki police officers, particularly those who lost colleagues in the line of duty.
The letter also highlighted the detrimental effect such actions could have on the integrity and reputation of the police force, urging prompt action to preserve the force’s credibility and to honor the memory of fallen officers.