Bilawal insists PTI govt must select IGP from Sindh’s list

PPP chief accuses Centre of applying a different law for the province

ISLAMABAD: The PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday asked the Centre to a adopt a uniform law for all provinces as he demanded that the PTI led federal government appoint one of the five officers – nominated by the PPP led Sindh government – as the provincial police chief.

“There can’t be two different laws in Pakistan. The law that applies to Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkwa [provinces where the PTI is in power] should also be applied to Sindh.

“The federal government must select one name from the five people nominated by Sindh to be elected as the province’s inspector general police (IGP),” Bilawal said while speaking to reporters outside the Parliament House.

The PPP chief was talking with reference to the recent controversy surrounding replacement of Sindh IGP Kaleem Imam. In a move, which surprised many, the federal cabinet on Tuesday turned down the names proposed by the Sindh government for the replacement of Imam.

The cabinet’s objection had come a day after Prime Minister Imran Khan met Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah during a daylong visit to Karachi, where the posting of a new provincial police chief was discussed among other issues.

After the meeting at the Governor House on Monday, reports had done the rounds that both the prime minister and the chief minister had agreed that Mushtaq Mahar would be the new IGP. The reports had also indicated that the notification of Mahar’s posting would be issued soon.

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However, the cabinet on Tuesday opposed Mahar’s appointment. “During the cabinet meeting, Mushtaq Mahar's name was suggested for the Sindh IGP position,” Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information Firdous Ashiq Awan had told a news conference after the cabinet meeting.

“Cabinet members from the province strongly opposed the idea, and keeping in mind the majority view, the prime minister asked the Sindh governor to discuss the matter with the chief minister regarding the names put forth for the appointment of the IG,” she had added.

Earlier, through a letter to the PM, Chief Minister Shah had proposed three names, including Mahar, for the posting. “The two [governor and CM] will hold discussions on the other names suggested for the IGP position as well as new names so that a consensus can be reached,” Awan said.

Bilawal said Islamabad’s IGP was replaced by the PTI government just because he did not answer a phone call. The IGP of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) was also replaced at will but Sindh was not allowed to change the provincial top cop.

“We demand that the law that is applied to Punjab and the K-P should also be applied to Sindh and one of the people nominated by Sindh government be appointed at the Sindh IGP,” he added.

Bilawal also criticized the government for its failed economic policies, which, according to him, had made lives of the common people miserable. He said the process of political arrests had started once again. “We condemn these arrests,” he added.