AD Khawaja case: SHC extends stay against IG's removal

Extension due to absence of NGOs' lawyer for second consecutive time

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed the lawyer representing the provincial government and non-profit organisations to make arguments in the case relating to the removal of Sindh IG Allah Dino Khawaja in light of the Supreme Court's judgment in the Anita Turab case.

A two-judge bench, headed by Justice Munib Akhtar, fixed the matter for tomorrow (May 4) due to the absence of Advocate Faisal Siddiqui, who is representing the NGOs. Siddiqui was not present for the second consecutive time.

The provincial advocate-general, Barrister Zamir Ghumro, argued the matter was of public interest. Therefore, he pleaded the court to proceed.



He contended the provincial and federal governments had differed on the issue of the IG's appointment. Therefore, the case should be decided as soon as possible.

Fixing the matter for tomorrow (May 4), the bench directed the lawyers for the parties to make arguments in light of the apex court's ruling that declares it mandatory for every government officer to spend a three-year tenure on present posts before transfers.

Till then, the court maintained its stay against the removal of Khawaja.

Case history

Since April 6, the court has stayed the removal of Khawaja from the post by the provincial government, which had surrendered his services to the federal government on March 31.



The interim stay was granted on two applications seeking contempt of the court order proceedings against the provincial authorities for removing Khawaja from the post in an alleged violation of the earlier stay order and suspension of the government's notification that gave the additional charge of the post to AIG Abdul Majeed Dasti.

Both the pleas were moved by a group of NGOs, including Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research and Urban Resource Centre. The NGOs had approached the court against the likely removal of Khawaja from the post of IG in December last year and for reforms in the policing system in the province.