Sindh seeks SHC to vacate stay order on transfer of police chief

KARACHI: Advocate General (AG) Zamir Ghumro – who is representing Sindh government – on Wednesday argued before the Sindh High Court (SHC) to lift its stay order against the transfer of Inspector General (IG) Police A.D. Khawaja by dismissing a petition against the provincial government’s decision.

Government counsel said that the petitioner’s demand of an empowered ‘police reforms committee’ has been fulfilled as the provincial government has complied with the petitioner’s request. Hence the plea should be dismissed.

He apprised the bench, headed by Justice Munib Akhtar, that the federal government has appointed incumbent IG Sindh A.D. Khawaja and the provincial government’s laws do not apply on a deputation officer.

Referring Sindh Civil Servants Act, the AG said that the law does not apply on a deputation officer since the incumbent IG has been appointed by the federal government.

He further said the provincial government lacks jurisdiction to proceed against the federal government appointed officer on any misconduct. However, the province could surrender the officer’s services to the federal government, he added.

The bench, headed by Justice Munib Akhtar, extended its stay order till the next hearing restricting the government from removing the police chief from his office.

The court adjourned the hearing till Thursday after conclusion of the government lawyer’s arguments.