CJP take notice of DPO Pakpattan's transfer

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on Thursday took suo motu notice of the transfer of Pakpattan District Police Officer Rizwan Gondal following an alleged altercation with the former husband of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s wife.

A three-member bench of the apex court headed by the Chief Justice will hear the suo motu case on Friday, August 31.

The court has summoned Pakpattan DPO Rizwan Umar Gondal, Inspector General Punjab Police, and the Regional Police Officer in their personal capacity.

Gondal’s transfer has sparked a controversy after an alteraction on August 23 with Khawar Maneka, ex-husband of Bushra Bibi.

Maneka has reportedly refused to stop a check point during a visit to the city. The police chased his vehicle and managed to intercept him.

IG Punjab has denied that Gondal was transferred under any pressure and said it was done due to misleading statements and misbehaving by police officers with a citizen.

The government of Punjab has stated that DPO Gondal was summoned and asked to submit an enquiry report into the matter after which he was transferred.

The police has maintained that the officer, upon the request of an unidentified influential, was directed to visit Maneka’s residence and apologise for intercepting the vehicle.

However, Gondal refused to apologise during a meeting called by Chief Minister Usman Buzdar. He said that  the police were simply doing their job, and was transferred shortly afterwards and asked to report to Central Police Office (CPO) in Lahore.

On the other hand, Maria Mehmood has been appointed as the DPO Pakpattan and a notification has been issued in this regard.