Anwar's appointment as the Punjab IGP was part of a significant bureaucratic reshuffle by the federal government, which saw him replace Mohammad Aamir Zulfiqar Khan, who was ordered to report to the Establishment Division in Islamabad.

[1] A special needs supporter of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Ali Bilal alias Zille Shah, was arrested by Punjab Police from outside Zaman Park on 9 March 2023.

Rights groups, including Amnesty International, raised concern over arbitrary arrests, custodial torture, and forced disappearances through police and other government agencies.

[11] In a sub judice case, Anwar, expressed his inability to locate the journalist and put the onus on Pakistan's military intelligence agencies for his disappearance.

[12][13] In an unprecedented move, during the candidature phase of 2024 Pakistani general election, Punjab Police was engaged in direct meddling in the electoral process.