Karachi, September 20, 2025 — Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sindh, Ghulam Nabi Memon, has ordered a formal inquiry against four Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) accused of involvement in a range of unlawful activities, including land grabbing, extortion, and providing cover to smuggling and mafia networks.
According to official notifications, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Tanveer Alam Odho has been appointed as the inquiry officer. He has been tasked with completing the investigation and submitting a detailed report by September 26.
Four DSPs Under Scrutiny
The DSPs named in the inquiry include:
- DSP Sohrab Goth, Aurangzeb Khattak — Accused of land grabbing and facilitating smuggling networks.
- DSP Kalakot, Asif Munir — Allegedly involved in receiving extortion payments from drug peddlers and parking mafias.
- DSP Kharadar, Shabbir Ahmed — Accused of collecting extortion from roadside vendors and tea stall owners.
- DSP Eidgah, Zafar Iqbal — Facing allegations of illegal parking operations and extortion from vendors and small eateries.
These allegations strike at the heart of public trust in law enforcement, as the accused officers are alleged to have not only neglected their duty to curb illegal practices but also actively facilitated them.
The Nature of Allegations
Reports suggest that the accused DSPs engaged in systematic extortion, targeting vulnerable groups such as vendors, tea stall owners, and small businesses, while also colluding with powerful mafias operating in Karachi.
- Land grabbing and smuggling: DSP Aurangzeb Khattak is said to have provided cover to illegal land occupations while turning a blind eye to smuggling activities.
- Drug and parking mafias: DSP Asif Munir is accused of financial dealings with narcotics dealers and organized parking mafias in his jurisdiction.
- Street-level extortion: DSP Shabbir Ahmed allegedly demanded protection money from cart vendors and tea hotel operators.
- Parking rackets and local extortion: DSP Zafar Iqbal is alleged to have controlled illegal parking arrangements while extracting money from small shopkeepers.
Inquiry Deadline
DIG Tanveer Alam Odho has been directed to conduct a comprehensive investigation and present findings to the IGP by September 26, 2025. The short timeline reflects the seriousness with which the provincial police leadership is treating the matter.
Broader Context: Accountability in Sindh Police
The decision to investigate senior police officials highlights ongoing concerns about corruption and abuse of authority within the Sindh Police. Over the years, civil society groups, media, and political leaders have repeatedly raised alarm over alleged collusion between certain police officers and criminal networks in Karachi.
The latest move by IG Memon appears to be part of a broader effort to improve transparency and restore public trust. However, past experiences have shown that disciplinary proceedings often stall or result in only minor penalties, raising doubts about whether the inquiry will result in meaningful accountability.
Public and Political Reactions
Initial public reactions to the news suggest widespread frustration. Karachi residents, already grappling with extortion, land mafia activities, and parking rackets, have welcomed the inquiry but remain skeptical about its outcomes. Many demand not only internal investigations but also judicial oversight to ensure impartial accountability.
Political observers note that with local elections approaching and law-and-order concerns mounting, the Sindh Police leadership may be under pressure to demonstrate visible action against corruption within its ranks.
Conclusion
The inquiry into the four DSPs marks a crucial test for the Sindh Police’s commitment to accountability and reform. Allegations ranging from land grabbing and smuggling facilitation to extortion from small vendors illustrate the deep-rooted challenges faced by law enforcement in Karachi.
While the initiation of an inquiry is a positive step, the real question remains: will this process lead to genuine accountability and systemic reform, or will it fade into the long history of unresolved police scandals in Sindh?
For now, all eyes are on DIG Tanveer Alam Odho’s report, due on September 26, which could either set a precedent for internal accountability or reinforce skepticism about the ability of Sindh Police to police its own ranks.
