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Petition Filed in SC Against Sindh Govt Move to Strip IGP Powers

Islamabad (July 15, 2017): A petition was filed in Supreme Court of Pakistan on Saturday challenging Sindh government move to strip Inspector General of Police (IGP) A.D. Khawaja of powers to transfers and post senior police officials in the province.

Recently, the provincial government withdrew the powers of IGP Sindh to decide transfers and postings of of SPs, SSPs and equivalent officers.

On Saturday a petition was filed in the SC pleading the court to suspend the notification of the provincial government.  He also urged the government to restore the IGP Sindh with full powers.

The petition has been filed by a citizen Mahmood Akhtar Naqvi.

“Chief Minister Sindh has been pleased to approve that the transfers and postings of Superintendents of Police (BS-18)/ Senior Superintendents of Police (BS-19) and equivalent shall be issued by the Services, General Administration and Coordination Department,” said a notification issued recently.

According to the notification, the order is in accordance with Rule 9(2) of the Sindh Civil Servants (Appointment, Promotion & Transfer) Rules, 1974.

The government’s order of August 9, 2016, whereby powers were delegated to the IGP for transfers and postings of SPs and SSPs “is hereby cancelled/withdrawn”, read the order.

The provincial government and IGP Khawaja have been in a tug of war since last year, with one of the main bones of contention between them being the transfer and posting of police officials.

In April, the Sindh government had sent Khawaja packing after it appointed another Grade-21 police officer already working in the province in his place.

However, the Sindh High Court (SHC) suspended the provincial government’s notification for Khawaja’s removal.

Khawaja’s differences with bigwigs of Sindh’s ruling party on issues relating to the removal/posting of police officials before by-elections in some constituencies, his stance on a businessman said to be a close associate of PPP leader Asif Zardari and recruitment in the police department are no secret.

In December 2016, the IGP was sent on “forced leave’ by the provincial government. Sources at the time said PPP leadership was not happy with the IGP over many issues, including his refusal to accept illegal demands of the people close to the ruling party.

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