Sindh names police chief to replace AD Khawaja

In October last year, the federal government promoted Sardar Abdul Majeed Dasti to grade-22

KARACHI: The Sindh government has nominated Sardar Abdul Majeed Dasti, an officer of the Police Service of Pakistan (PSP), for the post of Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Sindh, replacing incumbent Allah Dino Khowaja, PSP (BS-21).

In October last year, the federal government had promoted Sardar Abdul Majeed Dasti to grade-22.

Prior to his promotion, Dasti was serving as additional inspector-general (research and development) under the command of IG Sindh Allah Dino Khowaja, who is now junior to Dasti.

Dasti, whose services remain at the disposal of the Sindh government until further orders, is one of the most senior police officers of the Sindh police, and has been a strong contender for the post of the Sindh IG.

He has already served on various posts in the Sindh police as well as Capital City Police Officer in Balochistan.

Dasti was appointed acting IG by the provincial government in April last year after the Sindh government sent Khowaja packing without getting the approval of the federal government.

“I am directed to refer to the Establishment Division, government of Pakistan, Islamabad, on the subject noted above, wherein the Establishment Division has requested for communicating the panel of three PSP officers of BS-22. At present, following three PSP officers (BS-22) are eligible as per policy who could be considered for posting as IGP Sindh in order of seniority,” reads a letter issued to the Secretary, Establishment Division, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad by the government of Sindh’s Services, General Administration and Coordination Department on Saturday.

The three PSP officers included Sardar Abdul Majeed Dasti, Captain (retd) Arif Nawaz and Mehr Khaliq Dad Lak.

The letter further stated that Arif Nawaz and Mehr Khaliq Dad Lak were recently posted as IGP, Punjab, Lahore and Additional Director-General of the Intelligence Bureau, respectively.

As such, their transfers and postings shall be hit by tenure limitations set out in the judgment passed by the Supreme Court in the Criminal Petition of Anita Turab Ali vs Federal of Pakistan.

Mehr Khaliq Dad Lak was never posted in Sindh.

Sardar Abdul Majeed is the only officer of BS-22 having more than two years and three months of service who can be considered for posting as the IGP Sindh in accordance with the criteria set out by the federal Establishment Division.

“The matter was placed before the Provincial Cabinet in its meeting held on January 6 and after deliberation, the cabinet approved and endorsed the posting of Sardar Abdul Majeed Dasti as IGP Sindh. Accordingly, the provincial government recommends that Sardar Abdul Majeed Dasti may be posted as IGP Sindh in place of Allah Dino Khowaja, PSP (BS-21),” it read.

AD Khowaja was appointed as the IG Sindh in March 2016 after the federal government removed former Sindh IGP Ghulam Hyder Jamali from his post. Under the existing rules of business, provincial government could surrender the services of any federal officer posted in the province through a notification issued by the Establishment Division.

On December 19, Khowaja was sent on forced leave by the provincial government while responsibilities of the IG Sindh were handed over to Additional IG Karachi Mushtaq Mahar.

However, after a few days of controversy, he resumed the charge of his office.