Grade-19 SSP to Report to Grade-18 SP Holding Additional DIG Charge, Islamabad Police Faces Criticism
Removed DIG Jawad Tariq belongs to the 37th Common, while SSP Capt. (R) Qazi Ali Raza of the 44th Common has been assigned the additional charge of DIG Operations and will supervise SSP Investigation Usman Tariq of the 41st Common, drawing debate over seniority on social media.
ISLAMABAD: The recent removal of DIG Operations Jawad Tariq and the decision to assign the additional charge of the post to SSP Operations Capt. (R) Qazi Ali Raza has triggered a widespread debate on social media, with journalists, former police officers and users questioning the decision on grounds of seniority and administrative procedure.
According to sources, the decision has raised concerns because a Grade-18 SSP has been given the additional charge of a Grade-20 DIG position. Sources said the DIG Operations supervises the Operations Wing, Investigation Wing and Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), making it one of Islamabad Police’s most important operational appointments.
Sources further claimed that Jawad Tariq, a 37th Common officer, had recently been stopped from attending the Senior Management Course, while his proposed transfer from Islamabad Police to the FIA was also cancelled. These claims have not been officially confirmed.
Discussion Within Police Circles
The decision has also sparked discussion within police circles. According to sources, SSP Investigation Usman Tariq, a Grade-19 officer from the 41st Common, would now be required to report to Capt. (R) Qazi Ali Raza, a 44th Common officer holding the additional charge of DIG Operations.
Sources also claimed that SSP Investigation Usman Tariq’s health deteriorated and he was admitted to hospital. However, no official statement has linked his medical condition to the recent administrative decision.
Journalist’s Claims on Social Media
Meanwhile, GNN senior crime reporter Usman Butt, in posts published on X, questioned the reshuffle. In one post, he alleged that DIG Jawad Tariq was removed after not using force against Kashmiri protesters during a recent demonstration in Islamabad, writing:
No official confirmation has been issued by Islamabad Police or the Ministry of Interior regarding this claim.
In another post, Usman Butt shared what he described as a message attributed to SSP Investigation Usman Tariq, writing:
“ہم جان سے جائیں گے تبھی بات بنے گی، تم سے تو کوئی راہ نکالی نہیں جاتی۔”
He further claimed that the officer had previously suffered a heart attack while on duty and was again shifted to hospital after his health worsened. Usman Butt also criticised the administrative decision, writing:
“وزیر داخلہ محسن نقوی صاحب، سسٹم ایسے کولیپس کرتے ہیں۔”
Social Media Reaction
The reshuffle also prompted strong reactions from social media users. Several users argued that appointing a junior officer over senior officers could affect the principle of seniority within the police service. One Facebook user commented on an Islamabad Tribune post:
“اسی لیے تو سسٹم کو کولیپس کرنے والے خود کہہ رہے ہیں کہ سفارش کی بنیاد پر جونیئر کو سینئر کے سر پر بیٹھا دیا۔”
Other users similarly questioned the rationale behind the decision, while some defended the government’s authority to make administrative postings in accordance with service rules.
As of publication, Islamabad Police and the Ministry of Interior have not publicly responded to the allegations and criticism circulating on social media or explained the reasons behind the reshuffle.
