ISLAMABAD: Captain (retd) Muhammad Sohail Chaudhry on Tuesday formally assumed charge as Inspector General of Islamabad Police, taking over as the new police chief of the federal capital.
Sohail Chaudhry arrived at the Central Police Office, where he was given a warm welcome by police officers and personnel. A formal change-of-command ceremony was held at the office, with a smartly turned-out police contingent presenting him a guard of honour.
The new IG held introductory meetings with senior police officers and received detailed briefings on professional and operational matters. He also met the Central Police Office staff and discussed various administrative and policing issues.
Sohail Chaudhry later visited the Martyrs’ Memorial, where he laid a floral wreath and offered prayers for the martyrs. He said the sacrifices of police personnel would always be remembered and the force would continue their mission of protecting citizens and upholding the law.
Speaking after assuming charge, the new IG said maintaining law and order and protecting citizens were his top priorities. He said effective and timely police services would be provided to the public, while there would be no compromise on merit, transparency and the rule of law.
He directed police officers and personnel to demonstrate courteous, responsible and professional behaviour towards citizens and said efforts would be made to further strengthen public trust in the police.
The IG also stressed the need for effective measures to prevent crime and protect the lives and property of citizens. He said traffic management and public facilities in Islamabad would be further improved.
Sohail Chaudhry said modern technology would be used more effectively to improve the policing system, while accountability and discipline within the Islamabad Police would be strengthened.
The federal government had appointed Sohail Chaudhry as IG Islamabad as part of a senior police reshuffle. According to an Establishment Division notification, the BS-20 Police Service of Pakistan officer, who was serving under the Punjab government, was transferred and posted as Inspector General of Islamabad Capital Territory Police with immediate effect and until further orders.
The reshuffle also saw incumbent IG Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi transferred from Islamabad Police and appointed Director General of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). Rizvi had served as Islamabad IG since March 2024.
Sohail Chaudhry has previously held several senior positions in Punjab Police, including Chief Traffic Officer Lahore, City Police Officer Faisalabad, DIG Operations Lahore, DIG Counter Terrorism Department Punjab and Regional Police Officer Multan.
The new IG said Islamabad Police would work to further raise its professional standards and ensure that its responsibilities towards citizens were carried out with full commitment.
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