PHOTO: FILE
An emergency meeting, chaired by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, cited the growing incidents of kidnapping for ransom, particularly of girls, theft of cars and motorcycles and the extrajudicial killing of citizens by police officials as evidence of the police chief's failure to control the law and order situation.
"The Sindh cabinet has unanimously called upon the federal government to withdraw the services of the incumbent IGP who has failed to control crime in the province and repeatedly violated discipline," stated the cabinet, recommending four senior police officers as options to take over the post.
PTI, PPP at loggerheads over move to remove Sindh police chief
According to Sindh Information and Labour Minister Saeed Ghani, the cabinet finalised the names of Ghulam Qadir Thebo, Mushtaq Maher, Sanaullah Abbasi and Kamran Fazal for the position. "The CM said that even though Abbasi has recently been posted as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa IGP, he would still request the federal government for him," revealed Ghani.
Conflict with the govt
Sources privy to the development told The Express Tribune that conflict over the transfers and postings of police officers and administrative issues led the Sindh government to make the decision to withdraw the services of the IGP, who was posted in June 2018.
"Normally, the schedule for the cabinet meeting is issued a few days in advance, but this meeting was suddenly convened on the orders of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leadership to get rid of the IGP, who they thought was creating hurdles in the affairs of the Sindh government," said an officer, who requested not to be named.
Another source pointed to a dispute between PPP minister Taimour Talpur and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MPA Haleem Adil Shaikh, after which the IGP gave orders to register an FIR against Talpur. "On that very day, the Sindh government decided to send the police chief packing," he added.
Those present at the meeting, which had a single-point agenda, included ministers, advisers and special assistants to the CM. They expressed dismay over the performance of Imam, alleging that he had established direct correspondence with foreign missions and embassies in Karachi and Islamabad without the prior approval of the government and the foreign office - something that violated the regulations and standard operating procedures of the federal government.
'Administrative anarchy'
The meeting also discussed at length various cases pertaining to the transfer and posting of police officers, which created 'administrative anarchy' in the province.
Referring to one of these cases, the meeting was informed that Imam had written a letter to the CM to surrender the services of DIG Khadim Rind, following it up with a reminder. When the CM returned Rind's services to the Centre, the IGP sent a letter to the chief secretary, protesting the transfer allegedly made without his knowledge. A copy of the letter was also leaked to the media at the time.
"He made the position of the provincial government awkward in the eyes of the people of Sindh and Pakistan," asserted CM Shah, who holds the portfolio of the home minister.
The meeting also quoted another case about the posting of Shikarpur SSP Rizwan Ahmed Khan, disclosing that the IGP had recommended his name for the post. Imam was told that Shikarpur was a sensitive district in terms of its tribal composition and feuds - not a suitable post for Khan, who was new to Sindh.
"Despite the Sindh government's objection, Imam insisted on appointing him," Ghani told the media outside the CM House. "The government's discontent about the posting proved true, as he failed to control the law and order situation, with incidents of kidnapping for ransom increasing day by day."
The information minister added that the cabinet members had unanimously said that Imam had lost their confidence and therefore, he must be replaced.
'Out of control'
Ghani stated that after the law and order situation in Shikarpur worsened, people came out on the streets staging protests about it. "The SSP [Khan] started arresting innocents in narcotics cases. One of the youngsters was tortured to death by the police," narrated the minister. "Khan registered a case against 22 villagers under the Anti-Terrorism Act, and a DIG inquired into the case and wrote against his high-handedness."
He added that Imam had been presenting incorrect facts and figures about the law and order situation, misleading the CM and the Sindh government.
The cabinet also observed that instead of taking action against Khan, Imam defended him, putting the provincial government in an awkward position again. It further noted the kidnapping cases of Bisma and Dua Mangi, who came home after their parents paid the ransom.
The cabinet mentioned the case of Irshad Ranjhani as well, who was shot in public by UC Nazim Rahim Shah at Bhains Colony in February 2019. The police, instead of taking Ranjhani to the hospital took him to the police station, allowing Raheem to kill him on the way.
The cabinet observed that instead of taking action against the involved police officers, Imam defended them. When the issue was portrayed as an ethnic matter, four innocent Pathans were killed in Larkana, it added.
Cabinet's recommendations
After reviewing Imam's performance, the cabinet called upon the federal government to withdraw his services and replace him with one of the recommended senior officers, who have all worked in Sindh.
"The cabinet urged the CM to approach Prime Minister Imran Khan with the request to change the Sindh IGP, so that law and order can be restored and the overall police performance improved in the province," stated the CM House spokesperson.
He added that the cabinet had also requested CM Shah to initiate disciplinary action against Imam by sending a detailed statement with proof of his misconduct and failure to follow rules and regulations to the establishment division.
PTI challenges decision
Soon after news of the cabinet's decision broke, PTI leaders went head to head with the ruling PPP, rejecting the decision and announcing they would challenge Imam's transfer in court.
Sindh IGP writes letter against high-profile transfers
"The Sindh governor has also expressed concern over the sudden transfer," said PTI leader Firdous Shamim Naqvi, who is also the leader of the opposition in the Sindh Assembly. "It looks like the Sindh government is trying to rig the upcoming local government elections."
Addressing a joint press conference with Shaikh, he referred to the Police Order, 2002, pointing out that the Sindh government could not transfer the police chief without consulting the opposition and other stakeholders. "Under this law, Imam's transfer must be referred to the Sindh Public Safety Commission, which includes treasury and opposition members in the Sindh Assembly."
Meanwhile, Shaikh said that the PPP government wanted to treat the incumbent police chief as its kamdar [personal manager]. "On his refusal, the cabinet has decided to surrender his services to the federal government, which is unacceptable," he maintained.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 16th, 2020.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ