SC accepts apology of Punjab CM, others in DPO transfer case

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Monday accepted an unconditional apology of Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, Ahsan Jameel Gujjar, and former IG Punjab Kaleem Imam in a case pertaining to transfer of former Pakpattan district police officer (DPO) Rizwan Gondal.

Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, who headed a three-judge bench of the apex court, expressed dissatisfaction over the statements submitted by the Punjab chief minister, ex-IG Punjab, and Ahsan Jameel Gujjar in response to the inquiry report of Coordinator National Counter Terrorism Authority Khaliq Dad Lak.

The chief justice came down hard on Mr Buzdar, saying he showed arrogance instead of being ashamed [after the incriminating report].

Justice Ejazul Ahsan, a member of the bench, termed the chief minister’s reply an attack on inquiry officer Khaliq Dad Lak.

CJP Nisar said he was surprised by the statement of the Punjab chief minister.

Mr Buzdar, ex-IG Kaleem Imam and Ahsan Jamil Gujjar withdrew their respective responses.

A provincial law officer tendered an unconditional apology on behalf of the CM, while Mr Imam said he threw himself at the mercy of the court.

The CJP directed the three respondents to submit their written apology which they did after a break. The court accepted their unconditional apology, cautioning  them to not indulge in such practices in future.

NACTA’s Khaliq Dad Lak in his inquiry report concluded the transfer orders of DPO Gondal came from the Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar’s office.

CM Buzdar in his response stated: “In a nub, the inquiry report merely rubber-stamps the statement of the DPO. There was hardly any need for this inquiry if it was only conducted to support the DPO concerned and to discard everything else.”

He alleged that Lak conducted inquiry with personal grudge against the provincial government for ignoring him for the post of Inspector General of Police (IGP) and appointing Mr Imam as Sindh police chief.

The chief justice had taken suo motu notice of the controversy involving alleged transfer of DPO Gondal by the Punjab CM on the complaint of Khawar Maneka, former husband of the first lady.