SSP Junejo takes charge of Islamabad after two officers declined
Police officials oppose force against protesters at D-Chowk
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News, Web Desk) – Senior Superintendent Police (SSP) operations Muhammad Ali Neokar and SSP Capt.(r) Ilyas excused themselves of their posts in response to government s orders to use force against protesters at Islamabad but now SSP Traffic Asmatullah Junejo has been assigned the additional charge of SSP Islamabad.
While addressing the press at Islamabad, SSP Junejo, who claims to have a masters degree from America, he said that police would not use excessive force against forceful protesters as long as they do not violate the red-zone, as demarcated by the government. He added that Islamabad police is an independent entity and they would protect their citizens at all costs because political forces did not control them.
Junejo stressed that the Islamabad police would not attack unarmed Pakistani citizens including women and children at any cost but at the same time, they will not permit violation of the red zone, because they cannot go against the government’s policy, irrespective of political malign.
The current SSP Islamabad apologized for the loss of lives and the use of excessive force by the Islamabad Police against journalists. He added that if FIR can be registered against the Prime Minister then it could surely be registered against anyone who tries to defame the image of the police.
After reiterating his stance on the sanctity of the red zone, SSP Junejo vowed to protect the red zone, as the Islamabad police is an administrative institution, and not a political body. He added that anti-state and extremist elements were present amongst the protesters who were trying to take advantage of the current situation in Islamabad.
Police officials decline to use force against protesters at Islamabad, SSP Neokar has taken a leave whereas SSP Capt. (r) Ilyas also excused himself from the assignment.SSP Junejo took charge after both the above-mentioned officials had decline the post. The sequence started after Inspector General (IG) Police Aftab Cheema took a leave when ordained to disperse protesters by the government. Deputy Superintendent Police (DSP) Khadija Tasneem also resigned from her post in protest, reportedly.
SSP Junejo is known as a sturdy officer, as previously he was branded as ‘Dabang Khan’ when he took charge of the situation pertaining to the Sikh protestors at Islamabad. He said that the entire police force is united and they would abide by their constitutional duty to protect the citizens.
On a concluding note, SSP Islamabad said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chair Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek chief Dr.Tahirul Qadri were ‘Pakistani heroes’, but they should understand our responsibility as government employees who were paid by the tax money of the public. He added that all citizens are equal in the eyes of law, and there is no precedence set by the government to allow protests in front of the Prime Minister house.
SSP Junejo assured that if the government allows the protesters then police would not use any force against them. He stressed that the Islamabad police is in control of the situation independently, and is headed by none other than the IG.
