Punjab Police Crisis Deepens as Top Officer Resigns
The resignation of a top officer like Imran Kishwar, who was part of the team that arrested PTI founder, has raised questions about the internal dynamics of the Punjab Police and the impact on high-profile cases, with many awaiting the police leadership's response to this development.
Deputy Inspector General Imran Kishwar, head of the Joint Investigation Team probing the May 9 cases, has resigned from the Punjab Police, citing internal dissonance and disillusionment with the system, amidst a backdrop of anti-terrorism court proceedings against PTI leaders.
Kishwar's resignation comes as an anti-terrorism court re-indicted PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Yasmin Rashid, and others in the May 9 cases, with the prosecution team making amendments to the earlier indictment. The PTI leaders have refused to accept the charges, prompting the court to summon witnesses in the cases. Kishwar, who had served in key positions including SSP Investigation Lahore and DIG Investigation Lahore, expressed disappointment over recent structural changes, particularly the formation of the new Crime Control Department (CCD), which reportedly unsettled the police hierarchy.
In his resignation letter, Kishwar stated that his years of service came at a "great personal cost" and he was left with "unanswered questions," hinting at feeling unappreciated and betrayed. He plans to transition to writing, citing his passion for it as his new focus. The Punjab Police leadership has yet to comment on Kishwar's resignation, but sources suggest that several senior officers were uneasy about the CCD's formation.
Kishwar's departure may bring those concerns into the open, marking a rare instance of a high-ranking officer publicly voicing dissatisfaction with the internal workings of the police force. His resignation has sparked speculation about the potential implications for the Punjab Police and the ongoing investigations into the May 9 cases.