Saeed Ghani. PHOTO: EXPRESS
His statement came in reaction to the federal cabinet's decision on Tuesday, as it turned down the names proposed by the Sindh government for the replacement of Sindh IGP Dr Kaleem Imam and asked the latter to discuss the matter with the governor.
On Monday, during a day-long visit to Karachi, Prime Minister Imran Khan had met Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and it was reported that the two had agreed upon a name for the new IGP, from among five proposed by the provincial government. However, just a day later, the Centre changed its stance following a cabinet meeting.
Expressing surprise at the Centre asking the Sindh government to discuss the matter with Sindh Governor Imran Ismail, Ghani said, "The federal cabinet's approval was not sought for replacing IGPs in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa." He was talking to the media after attending a job fair and startup expo organised by the Iqra University on Wednesday.
The provincial minister categorically ruled out the possibility of consulting governor on the matter, saying, "It will be unlawful." The governor did not have anything to do with the matter and discussing the issue with him would be in violation of the law, he said.
He further stated, "No more names as replacements for the IGP will be proposed by the Sindh government," and added that five names were already given to the federal government on which the PM too had agreed.
Criticising the federal cabinet, Ghani said, "I believe it wants the PM to face embarrassment on the issue," adding that when the PM had given his consent on the selection and appointment of the new IGP, "none of the federal ministers had the right to raise objections."
There was neither a difference of opinion between the federal and the provincial government nor was a deadlock reached on the issue until the cabinet meeting on January 28, he maintained. However, "the situation changed drastically after the meeting," he added.
Lamenting the Centre's volte-face, he said, "I once again request them to not to make the people of Sindh and the province's elected representatives feel as if they are second-class citizens."
However, responding to a question regarding the court nullifying the notification issued for the transfer of DIG Khadim Hussain Rind and SSP Dr Rizwan Ahmed, Ghani said, "The court's decision has to be respected whether you like it or not." Though, he was quick to add that it was Sindh IGP Kaleem Imam who requested the transfers of the two officers in the first place but later raised objections on the move. If the Sindh government felt necessary, it would approach court on the matter, Ghani added.
A 'double standard'
Meanwhile, CM's adviser on law, environment and coastal development Murtaza Wahab, said that the IGP had become 'politicised,' adding that the appointment of the new police chief should be in accordance with the Constitution and the law.
"The federal cabinet is a constitutional forum - how can they make such decisions?" he asked, referring to the cabinet's rejection of the names suggested by the Sindh government, during a press conference on Wednesday.
"The Sindh government is not demanding any unconstitutional or illegal rights," he asserted. Mentioning transfers of IGPs in Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), he pointed out that the decision to appoint Shoaib Dastagir in Punjab was taken within hours, while in Sindh, several days had passed since the provincial government made its request.
"We should be treated like the people of other provinces too. There should only be one law for Punjab, K-P and Sindh," he maintained. "We will continue to demand our right [to change the IGP]."
Published in The Express Tribune, January 30th, 2020.
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