Do you want to replace AD Khawaja because of his resistance to political pressure, CJP asks Sindh govt

Naek argues that a 22-grade officer serves as a subordinate to Khawaja


Muhammad Haroon March 22, 2018
Sindh IG Allah Dino Khawaja. PHOTO: Express

LAHORE: The hearing for the petition field against serving Inspector-General (IG) Allah Dino Khawaja's placement as IG Sindh began at the Supreme Court's Lahore Registry.

A three-judge bench was formed under the leadership of the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar.

The Sindh government's senior lawyer and former Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) law minister Farooq H Naek requested the court to adjourn the hearing for two hours so he can prepare all his arguments. "There was no time in Islamabad for this, so I bought the case here to Lahore," the CJP remarked.

SC rejects Sindh’s plea to restrain AD Khawaja

"You must finish your arguments in an hour," the CJP told Naek. "AD Khawaja is a 21-grade officer who is deployed on a 22-grade seat," Naek argued. "A 22-grade officer serves as a subordinate to Khawaja," he added pointing towards the position of 22-grade officer Abdul Majeed Dasti who is also the Sindh government's candidate for the IG Sindh post.

At this, the CJP smiled at Naek and asked: "AD Khawaja doesn't succumb to political pressures, is that why you want to replace him?"

"I have retained the position of chairman Senate, I only speak in legalities not politics," Naek responded. "According to rules of business, the Sindh government reserves the right to replace Khawaja if required."

Naek further added that the Sindh High Court's (SHC) earlier verdict of replacing Khawaja is within the rules of the police.

In January, the top court rejected the Sindh Government’s plea to restrain Allah Dino Khawaja from continuing as the IG of the Sindh Police.

Sindh names police chief to replace AD Khawaja

A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar, has granted leave of Sindh government’s petition challenging the Sindh High Court’s September 7 order to permit Allah Dino Khawaja to continue as Sindh IG. The petition was filed by Farooq Naek.

The bench also allowed AD Khawaja to continue ordering transfers and postings of police officials. It observed that even the federal government cannot remove the Sindh IG till the final decision of the court. The chief justice appreciated the SHC’s order, wherein it permitted Khawaja to continue at his post.

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