LAHORE - More than 50 corruption-tainted policemen have been removed from the crime investigation agency of the Lahore police, official sources said. Some ‘encounter specialists’ were also among the policemen who were directed to report to the investigation headquarters yesterday. Lahore SSP (Investigations) Hassan Mushtaq Sukehra directed his department to close the tainted cops to police headquarters.

Inspector Shamim Paul, Inspector Fayyaz, Inspector Raees Khan, Tariq Sajwar, Rana Mukhtar, sub-inspector Ali Nawab and sub inspector Yousaf were among those removed from the CIA, a special wing of the city police to deal with organized crimes.

This reshuffle follows the removal of CIA SP Muhammad Omar Virk, who was demoted to rank of inspector after the government withdrew out of turn promotions on the orders of the country’s top court.

Yesterday’s move comes after the department prepared the lists of corruption-tainted policemen. Police circles say the officials removed from the CIA wing had not good repute and they were regarded as “rough and rude” officers.