Punjab police DSP dismissed in luxury vehicle fraud case

By Adnan Bhatti

LAHORE -- A Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) of the Punjab Police has been dismissed from service after a departmental inquiry found him guilty of misconduct, abuse of authority, fraud and violations of police service rules in connection with a luxury Toyota Land Cruiser case.

According to official documents, DSP Azhar Naveed Khan was removed from service after the inquiry concluded that he had failed to defend the allegations levelled against him and had committed serious breaches of departmental regulations.

The case stems from FIR No. 320/2026, registered on 2 March 2026 at Iqbal Town Police Station under Section 406 of the Pakistan Penal Code (criminal breach of trust) on the complaint of citizen Hafiz Nauman Ahmed against DSP Azhar Naveed Khan, his son Nayal Azhar, and Barkat Ali.

According to the complainant, the DSP and his son obtained possession of his luxury Land Cruiser on the pretext that it was required for the use of a senior police officer. A formal agreement regarding the vehicle was reportedly executed with Nayal Azhar.

On 19 December 2025, the complainant said he received a call from the vehicle tracking company informing him that the tracking device had been removed. He subsequently contacted DSP Azhar Naveed Khan, Nayal Azhar and Barkat Ali to inquire about the matter. The DSP allegedly asked him to visit his residence at 96-H, Model Town, where he stated that the vehicle was being used by his friend, Sheikh Islam, and assured him that it would be returned by 20 January 2026.

A departmental inquiry conducted by DIG Punjab Highway Patrol Faisal Ali Raja stated that the complainant had accused DSP Azhar Naveed Khan, his son and Barkat Ali of operating an organised illegal network that allegedly obtained vehicles from citizens and later demanded money for their return.

The complainant further alleged that when he sought the return of his vehicle, he was asked to pay Rs5 million.

Following the complaint, a departmental inquiry was initiated, and DSP Azhar Naveed Khan was directed to appear before the inquiry committee to present his defence. However, according to the inquiry report, he failed to appear on three occasions. When he finally appeared before the orderly room proceedings on the fourth occasion, he was unable to provide convincing evidence or a satisfactory explanation to rebut the allegations.

The inquiry also obtained the officer's travel history from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). According to the report, DSP Azhar Naveed Khan departed for England from Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore, on 8 April 2026 and returned to Pakistan via Peshawar Airport on 30 May 2026.

The inquiry found that the officer had travelled abroad without obtaining mandatory ex-Pakistan leave or a No Objection Certificate (NOC), in violation of Punjab Police service rules. It further alleged that he concealed his official identity from immigration authorities during his overseas travel, which the department regarded as a serious breach of service regulations.

The inquiry report further concluded that DSP Azhar Naveed Khan and his son, Nayal Azhar, were involved in financial dealings relating to multiple vehicles and suspicious transactions. It held the officer responsible for abusing his official authority and engaging in misconduct, corruption and fraudulent practices.

The report stated that the officer had failed to substantiate his defence and was also found to have been involved in unlawful activities.

Consequently, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Abdul Karim, exercising powers under the Punjab Civil Servants Act and the applicable disciplinary rules, declared DSP Azhar Naveed Khan guilty of misconduct and issued a formal notification dismissing him from service.

Note: The criminal allegations against DSP Azhar Naveed Khan and the other accused remain subject to legal proceedings. The findings relating to misconduct are those of the departmental inquiry, which formed the basis of the dismissal order.