LAHORE: The Punjab government has appointed Rao Abdul Kareem as the new inspector general of Punjab Police, replacing Dr Usman Anwar, according to an official notification issued on Monday. The decision marks a significant reshuffle in the province’s law enforcement leadership.
Moreover, sources said the appointment followed consultations between Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, reflecting coordination between the federal and provincial governments.
Seasoned officer takes charge of Punjab Police
Rao Abdul Kareem is a career police officer with nearly three decades of experience in policing and administration. He joined the Police Service of Pakistan in 1996 after qualifying through the Central Superior Services examination. Over the years, he held several important field and command assignments. He served as superintendent of police in Lahore and as district police officer in Mianwali, Kasur, and Jhang, gaining exposure to both urban and rural policing challenges.
In addition, Kareem occupied senior leadership roles, including regional police officer in Gujranwala and deputy inspector general Telecommunications and Transport in Sindh. He also worked as an additional inspector general with the Punjab Highway Patrol, where he oversaw highway security and traffic enforcement across the province. During the past year, he served as inspector general of the Punjab Special Branch, focusing on intelligence gathering and internal security. Earlier in his career, he also served as director of immigration at the Federal Investigation Agency, handling border management and immigration matters.
Dr Usman Anwar named new FIA chief
Meanwhile, the government has appointed Dr Usman Anwar as director general of the Federal Investigation Agency through a separate notification. Anwar served as Punjab IGP since January 24, 2023, and earlier worked as director of FIA Lahore.
He joined Punjab Police in 1995 and later served as additional inspector general of the Motorway Police. He also held positions as additional IG of the Special Branch in Punjab and DPO of Okara and Sargodha.
The federal government placed Raja Riffat Mukhtar in the Narcotics Control Division in Islamabad.
