IGP transfer case: Azam Swati appears before Supreme Court

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Federal Minister for Science and Technology Azam Swati to submit his reply, in a case pertaining to illegal transfer of inspector general police Islamabad, by tonight, ARY News reported.

Mr. Swati informed the court that he was out of country hence he couldn’t study in detail the joint investigation team (JIT) report in the case.

He sought a day-long time to prepare and submit his reply. ‘I was out of the country and I will submit the reply today,” he added.

The court directed him to file his reply by tonight. The hearing of the case was adjourned till tomorrow.

The case background

The JIT on November 29 submitted its report to the Supreme Court in the case pertaining to transfer of inspector general of police, Islamabad, blaming Swati for misusing powers.

The JIT had launched its investigations against Azam Swati over alleged abuse of powers. According to details, the JIT in its report said allegations made on a poor families lacked truth.

“A clout was used to register a first information report against the family [against whom Swati’s son had quarreled]”. The JIT said charges of land grabbing on the poor family were incorrect. Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar sought explanation from Mr. Swati under Article 62-1 (f) in the light of findings of the JIT.

Azam Swati was caught in a spotlight in the wake of IGP’s transfer on October 27 after he allegedly refused to take action on a complaint by the son of Azam Swati, regarding a fight over purported encroachment with a family at their farmhouse.

It is pertinent to mention here that the SC had formed the JIT, comprising officials of FIA, NAB and IB to probe the issue on November 2.

A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, had 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. 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.