Strained ties between Malik, IGP behind Islamabad’s spiralling crime graph

ISLAMABAD - Increasing tension between the Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) Syed Kaleem Imam is reportedly affecting the performance of police personnel in the country’s capital.

According to sources, the IGP enjoys good relations with a high-profile figure in the federal government due to which he never listens or follows Malik’s instructions.

“Rehman Malik complained to President Asif Ali Zardari so many times. The President then conveyed IGP’s rudeness to the Prime Minister and the PM too showed displeasure,” the Daily Times quoted sources, as saying.

Earlier, in March, following a protest by the residents of Bhara Kahu, Malik had ordered the IGP to suspend Bhara Kahu Police Station SHO Inspector Nawaz Bhatti, but his orders were not complied with.

In the same month, Malik had ordered suspension of Kohsar Police Station SHO Mahar Munnawar along with five personnel. In this case too, the Interior Minister’s orders were ignored.

As a result of the sour relations, police has reportedly lost grip on the crime rate, which has increased manifold recently, the paper said. (ANI)