Top court rejects govt’s plea to appoint new IGP Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected the government plea regarding appointment of inspector general police (IGP) Islamabad, and instead ordered for bringing to charge an interim police chief, ARY News reported.

The federal government had approached the apex court regarding appointment of IG Islamabad after a recent contention with incumbent capital police chief, Jan Muhammad, who returned to country this morning after his personal overseas visit.

The court permitted the government to appoint interim IG Islamabad to control the law and order situation.

The top court on Monday suspended a notification regarding removal of IG Islamabad 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 the same 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.