Sindh IGP asks for SSP’s transfer ahead of Umerkot by-polls

Sindh top cop claims Shaikh cannot be expected to ensure peaceful conduct of elections

KARACHI: In a letter written to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Kaleem Imam has called for the transfer of the Umerkot SSP and deputy commissioner ahead of by-elections in the constituency.

Imam reportedly asked the electoral body to transfer the officials in order to ensure transparency in the by-polls that are to be held for the PS-52 provincial assembly seat. The seat in question fell vacant after the demise of former Pakistan Peoples Party MPA Syed Ali Mardan Shah, who had been elected five times from the same constituency, on January 19.

According to the provincial police chief, the Sindh government had repeatedly been informed in writing that Umerkot SSP Aijaz Ahmed Shaikh was facing several cases in the district. He added that the provincial government had also been told that Shaikh had exhibited criminal negligence in performing his duties.

Imam claimed that Shaikh could not be expected to ensure the peaceful conduct of the by-elections, and therefore, he requested, the ECP should order his transfer as well as that of the deputy commissioner.

It is pertinent to note here that Shaikh was said to be present when Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Haleem Adil Sheikh was allegedly assaulted on the directives of Nawab Taimur Talpur, the Sindh chief minister's special assistant for inter-provincial coordination, in Umerkot district in November.

The PTI politician claimed that instead of allowing him to lodge a case about the assault, the Umerkot police had instead booked him and his associates.

Displaying weapons

Separately, the Sindh police chief took notice of the open display of weapons by security guards at an open meeting (khuli katcheri) held by Talpur on Sunday.

The CM's special assistant had been holding the session to hear the grievances of the public near Kala Pul, where his personal security guards, dressed in plain clothes, were openly carrying weapons.

After a video of this went viral on social media, Imam took notice of the incident, seeking a complete report from Karachi police chief Ghulam Nabi Memon. He further directed Memon to investigate the matter and take immediate legal action.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 24^th, 2020.