“I say what I see. That makes me a troublemaker in my city.”
These words perfectly describe what recently happened to Sub-Inspector Amar Shujaat Wattoo, a police officer linked to Faisalabad, who chose to speak openly about a serious flaw in Punjab’s investigation system, and paid the price for it.
On 26 January 2025, SI Amar Shujaat uploaded a video on his Facebook account highlighting an uncomfortable reality:
The funds allocated by the government for criminal investigations often never reach the actual Investigation Officers. Instead, they are allegedly consumed at higher levels.
How Investigation Funds Are Supposed to Work
The Government of Punjab officially allocates specific amounts for criminal investigations. For example:
- Around PKR 50,000 for robbery or theft cases
- Approximately PKR 150,000 for murder investigations
These funds are meant for essential investigative expenses such as:
- Preparing case files and site plans
- Paying draftsmen
- Medical examinations
- Call Detail Records (CDRs)
- Prosecution coordination
- Fuel and transport for raids or surveillance
- Informant payments
- Private vehicles for field operations
Importantly, these funds are not part of officers’ salaries or perks. They exist solely to ensure professional, independent, and corruption-free investigations.
The Real Problem on the Ground
According to SI Amar Shujaat, while these funds are released by the government, they often do not reach Investigation Officers.
When investigators are denied operational funds, they are left with no choice but to rely on citizens:
- Asking for petrol money
- Charging for documentation
- Seeking payments for routine procedures
This creates a vicious cycle where ordinary people are forced into paying bribes, not always because officers want corruption, but because the system starves them of legitimate resources.
The root cause is simple: mismanagement and withholding of investigation funds at senior levels.
Punished for Speaking the Truth
SI Amar Shujaat’s only “crime” was exposing this reality.
- He posted the video on 26 January 2025
- By 28 January 2025, a report was registered against him
- He was subsequently closed to line (removed from duty)
This swift action against a whistleblower sends a dangerous message:
those who expose systemic failures will be silenced.
A Request to the Chief Minister of Punjab
This is not just about one police officer. This is about fixing a broken investigation system. I make a sincere appeal to the Honorable Chief Minister of Punjab:
Please look into this matter personally. If investigation funds are delivered transparently to Investigation Officers through a proper mechanism, much of the corruption at street level will automatically disappear.
A strong investigation system means:
- Fewer bribes
- Faster justice
- Better prosecutions
- Increased public trust
- A safer society
Fix investigations, and half the system fixes itself.
Final Thoughts
Punishing honesty while protecting silence will only deepen institutional decay. SI Amar Shujaat Wattoo raised a legitimate concern that affects every citizen. Instead of addressing the problem, the system targeted the messenger. If truth becomes misconduct, then injustice becomes policy. May accountability prevail over intimidation.