ISLAMABAD: The senior superintendent of Islamabad Traffic Police, who also held the additional charge of SSP security, was removed from both posts following a serious lapse in supervision after President Asif Ali Zardari’s motorcade strayed from the designated VVIP route in the capital.
Police sources confirmed that retired Capt Syed Zeeshan Haider, a grade-18 officer, had failed to ensure proper security arrangements, placing the president and his convoy at significant risk.
According to officials, the incident occurred on Thursday evening when President Zardari was scheduled to visit a family residence in Bahria Town. Accompanied by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and other dignitaries, the president left the Presidency and proceeded toward Bahria Town via the VVIP route that had been carefully coordinated with security agencies.
However, after crossing Koral Chowk, the motorcade inadvertently continued along the Expressway, bypassing the designated turn toward Bahria Town. This deviation caused the convoy to move beyond the pre-established security cordon.
As a result of this mismanagement, the VVIP motorcade was reportedly stuck in traffic for over 30 minutes, raising serious concerns among the interior minister and other relevant security agencies. Officials expressed strong dissatisfaction over the lack of supervision and poor coordination, which could have led to a major security incident.
In response to the situation, Capt Syed Zeeshan Haider was immediately removed from both his positions and reassigned to the Central Police Office Islamabad pending further orders.
To ensure continued oversight and security, retired Sqn-Ldr Abdul Haque, a grade-19 officer, was given the additional charge of SSP security, while Pari Gul Tareen, a grade-18 officer, assumed the additional charge of SSP traffic police.
The incident has highlighted the critical importance of strict adherence to VVIP protocols and route management in Islamabad, emphasizing that any lapse in coordination can create both security risks and logistical challenges.
Authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to reviewing standard operating procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The reassignment of senior officials is seen as an immediate corrective measure to restore confidence in the city’s VVIP security management system.
