IG Islamabad removed on PM's directives, SC told

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Monday suspended a notification regarding removal of Inspector General of Islamabad Police Jan Muhammad when it was informed that he was removed on the directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan. 

A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, expressed extreme displeasure over the removal of the IG Islamabad, saying the way he was sent packing is deplorable.

Attorney General Anwar Mansoor informed that the IGP was removed on the verbal directives of the prime minister.

Is this Naya Pakistan, asked the chief justice, adding the top cop was removed on a complaint of Federal Minister Azam Swati.  If the IGP had committed any mistake, why was he not served a show-cause notice, questioned Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, a member of the bench.

Earlier in the day, the chief justice took notice of the removal of IGP Jan Muhammad and directed the interior secretary and the attorney general to appear before the court to explain as to why the IG was transferred.

He remarked the capital’s top cop was removed for political reasons and vowed that he would not let anybody put any political pressure and weaken state institutions this way.

The grade-20 officer of the Police Services of Pakistan (PSP) was removed and directed to report to the Establishment Division, according to a notification issued by the division on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior has denied reports that inspector general Islamabad Jan Muhammad was removed for reasons of his ‘non-cooperation’ with the Minister Azam Khan Swati.

The reason behind IG’s removal was denied by government’s recently-formed ‘Fake News Busters’ account on Twitter.

The summary for removal of IG Islamabad was sent to Prime Minister Imran Khan three weeks ago, however, the PM’s approval got delayed due to his busy schedule in the wake of foreign visits,” the account says in the clarification.

The FakeNewsBusters said reporting Fake news was illegal, unethical and a disservice to the nation. “It is the responsibility of everyone to discourage such irresponsible behavior. Reject.”