Police officer who pulled over Bushra Maneka’s ex-husband for overspeeding transferred

LAHORE: The district police officer (DPO) of Pakpattan who had pulled over Khawar Maneka – former husband of first lady Bushra Maneka – for overspeeding four days ago has been transferred, sources said.

On August 23, a police team led by DPO Rizwan Omar Gondal briefly intercepted Khawar’s car after he didn’t stop when signaled by the police to do so. Khawar reportedly also misbehaved with the police officials.

Later, upon the request of an unidentified influential, the officer was directed to visit Maneka Dera, Khawar’s residence, and tender an apology to him for intercepting the vehicle.
Gondal, during a meeting called by Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, refused to apologise, saying the police were simply doing their job.

Shortly after, the DPO was transferred and asked to report to Central Police Office (CPO) in Lahore.

Despite repeated attempts, Inspector General of Punjab Police Syed Kaleem Imam, spokesperson Punjab police Syed Nayab Haider, newly nominated Punjab Information Minister Fayyazul Hassan Chohan and Rizwan Omar Gondal could not be reached for comment.

The tradition of the influential challenging the rule of law is not an alien subject in Pakistan. In 2016, DPO Bahawalnagar Shariq Kamal Siddique was dismissed from service after he conducted a raid on the residence of a member of the National Assembly belonging to Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz who had allegedly tortured police officials at a check-post for pulling him over.