Sindh government to deliberate on curtailing IG's powers

KARACHI: Adviser to Sindh Chief Minister on Information Murtaza Wahab will convene a meeting of an inter-ministerial committee on January 9 to review the powers enjoyed by the Police high-command, ARY News reported on Thursday. 

Withdrawal of different powers from the Inspector General (IGP), and procedures for transfers, postings and promotions in the police force will be discussed in the meeting.

The meeting will also deliberate upon measures to improve the progress and morale of the Sindh police.

Reportedly, a draft bill in connection with reforms in the police force will be finalised which will be forwarded to the Sindh cabinet. After the cabinet’s approval, the bill will be presented in the provincial assembly to amend the relevant laws and regulations.

Earlier on September 7, 2017, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)-led Sindh government had suffered a blow as the Sindh High Court had annulled its decision to send provincial police chief A.D Khawaja packing. The court allowed the police chief to continue his office.

The bench, in its short order, had set aside the government notification for relieving Khawaja from the IGP office, ruling that the provincial government could not remove an IGP sans any justification.

The court had also made it mandatory for the government to follow the verdict in Anita Turab case under which an IGP could not be removed from his post before completion of three years of his tenure.