By Saleem Mubarak
LAHORE: An audio clip featuring a senior officer and a female sub-inspector has gone viral, igniting outrage across the internet.
In the recording, the officer can allegedly be heard berating her—mocking her request for “family time” and even calling her a “two-penny sub-inspector.”
This isn’t the first time a senior official has displayed such toxic behavior. But the real question is: When will this rot be addressed? Such attitudes don’t just contaminate workplace culture—they undermine the very foundations of our institutions, demoralize law enforcement personnel, and erode public trust.
Speaking to GL News on the condition of anonymity, a former Inspector General of Police admitted that the use of harsh language toward junior officers has been a deeply entrenched practice within the department for years.
Feudal Mindset Still Rules Policing Culture
He said this toxic culture is common in many places–usually behind closed doors. While information technology is changing the working environment and even policing, we remain stuck in the rot of a feudal mindset within our institutions, he added.
“The higher the rank, the greater the ego. Officers treat subordinates like personal servants. This mindset is slowly destroying our institutions. Subordinates no longer serve with devotion or dedication–they are just trying to save their skin from the wrath of their seniors,” he added.
He noted that the officer who used harsh language against the female officer didn’t just insult her—he insulted the rank of Sub Inspector, which he called the backbone of field policing.
Leadership Requires Respect, Not Intimidation
Every senior officer knows that real leadership is truly built on respect and professionalism. Yet many officers behave in ways that go against the very spirit of leadership, he said.
“By shouting at a junior, the officer didn’t display strength—he exposed weakness.”
Flawed Recruitment and Favoritism in Law Enforcement
When asked about the officer’s remark accusing the female officer of getting her job through “150 recommendations,” he replied: ‘By saying that, the officer is indirectly admitting that the recruitment process in his own department is deeply flawed.’
“His statement shows that favoritism is common in the department. But here’s the irony—when a female officer tries to defend herself, she’s quickly accused of using ‘sifarish’ (personal connections). It’s a classic example of gaslighting—making her feel like she’s the problem when she’s actually standing up for what’s right.”
Workplace Harassment and Violation of Rights
Changez Khan Kakar, a Member of the National Assembly and a senior lawyer, said that officials are misusing their powers because they believe their actions and words are above the law. He called the incident a textbook example of workplace harassment and emphasized that strict action must be taken against the accused officer.
He said that while hollow slogans are being raised in the name of the rule of law, the reality is quite different.
“One can clearly see how blatantly human rights are being violated in the country. Even the judiciary is being openly targeted by those in power,” he added.
He stressed that it is the responsibility of the masses to speak out against the illegal actions of the powerful. Without establishing the rule of law, he said, society cannot become peaceful or move toward prosperity.
Calls for Justice from Political Figures
He pointed out that the Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, has often raised slogans about protecting women’s rights in the province.
“Now is the time for the Chief Minister to step forward and ensure justice for the lady sub-inspector,” he said.
Our Constitution guarantees the rights of every citizen and does not allow gender discrimination. This is a clear case of such discrimination. However, I am sure that nothing will happen to the accused officer. Instead, the lady sub-inspector will face the music, he claimed.
A former DSP, Aziz Ullah Khan, addressed the issue in his vlog, criticizing the conduct of the senior officer.
He said that by calling the lady sub-inspector a “two-penny sub-inspector,” the officer had insulted all sub-inspectors across the country.
He urged the officer to read the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1898, which clearly outlines the authority and responsibilities of sub-inspectors.
He said that it has often been observed that incompetent officers or judges use harsh language to mask their lack of skill and to intimidate subordinates into submission. In contrast, he said that competent officers know it’s not possible to win hearts and minds without treating their subordinates with respect.
The Officer’s Connections and Public Apology Demand
He noted that the accused officer is the son of a respected former Inspector General of Police, and the former son-in-law of another well-regarded IG.
Mr Khan suggested that if the leaked audio is fake, an inquiry should be conducted and the Sub-Inspector should be held accountable. However, if the audio is real, the officer must publicly apologize to all Sub-Inspectors in Pakistan through an audio or video statement.
He also urged subordinates to refuse to work under officers who behave in such a disrespectful manner.
