ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Interior on Thursday notified Capt (retired) Mushtaq Ahmed as the deputy commissioner and Sajid Kiani as the senior superintendent of police (operation) Islamabad.

The post of the SSP remained vacant since December 31 when the interior ministry suspended Asmatullah Junejo over the release of a leader of the outlawed Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat (ASWJ) and his guards, who had been arrested by the Rangers.

Though an inquiry conducted by the then AIG operation Dr Sultan Azam Temuri did not find Mr Junejo guilty, he was removed from the post and his salary also stopped, officials in the police said. SSP security Mir Vaiz Niaz was given the additional charge of the SSP operation.

SSP Kiani, who served with the interior minister for over two years and also looked after the office of the SSP headquarters, was also given the additional charge of the AIG operation a week ago.

Similarly, the office of the DC lslamabad remained vacant since December after Mujahid Sherdil went on leave. Officials said in early December Mr Sherdil went on an exPakistan leave and rejoined the office in January. However, about 15 days later, he again went on leave and did not return to the office due to unknown reasons.

Some officials said he had developed differences with the chief commissioner who was appointed by the interior minister. Mr Sherdil had been given the post on the recommendation of another influential minister.