Punjab CM apologizes as SC bins ex-IG's report in DPO transfer case

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Monday rejected former Punjab police chief Syed Kaleem Imam’s inquiry report in a case pertaining to the alleged political meddling in the transfer of former Pakpattan district police officer Rizwan Umar Gondal.

Headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, a bench of the apex court ordered a fresh probe into the matter.

CJP Nisar rejected the probe report, terming it bogus and malafide. He remarked the police have destroyed the institution just to save one person.

In response to court notice, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar appeared before the bench. He offered an unconditional apology over his attitude in and outside the apex court.

The CJP asked the chief minister if he had said that he [CM] didn’t want to see the police officer’s face. He denied having issued any such directions and political influence to transfer the DPO.

Earlier, former Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Syed Kaleem Imam submitted the report to the apex court.

The 27-page report contains statements of Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, Ahsan Jameel Iqbal Gujjar, CM’s personal staff officer (PSO) Umar, chief security officer (CSO) Haider Ali, Khawar Maneka, his son, daughter and police officers.

The report exonerated the Punjab chief minister from any wrongdoing and said he played a role of mediator in the meeting between the DPO and Ahsan Jameel Gujjar, the first lady’s friend’s husband.

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 Maneka.

At the previous hearing, the bench had directed the IG to probe the entire affair keeping in view its every aspect and submit a report within a week.

It instructed the provincial police chief to look into the aspect of alleged political interference in the transfer of former Pakpattan DPO and take into account alleged role of the chief minister, his chief security officer and Ahsan Jameel Gujjar as well as the statement of the DPO.

The chief justice observed that an unauthorised person intervened in police matters and ordered that action be taken against those found guilty in the controversy.

During the course of the hearing, the top judge remarked he will issue notice to the Punjab CM under Article 62(1)(f) of the Constitution – a provision that provides for disqualification of public representatives – and summon him to the court to explain his position in the whole affair.