CJP lambasts govt over transfer of IG Islamabad

Khudayar Mohla
Islamabad, (TLTP): Federal interior secretary response on Monday that capital police chief was removed from the post over verbal orders of Prime Minister Imran Khan raised the eyebrows of Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar as he plainly said that there is no other option for people at the helm of affairs to govern the country but the rule of law.
Taking suo motu notice in wake of recent transfer of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Jan Mohammad on Monday, a three-member bench of Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar suspended transfer notification.
Seeking comprehensive report from secretary establishment Ijaz Munir and federal interior secretary Azim Suleman Supreme Court also asked them to furnish affidavits about the reasons behind transferring Jan in haste on next date of hearing.
Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar also hinted at the possibility to form a committee to ascertain the facts behind transfer of top police officer.During the course of proceedings, secretary establishment submitted that Prime Minister Khan was not satisfied from performance of the Jan to which a member of the bench Justice Ijazul Ahsan observed if competency of the police chief was in question then instead of terminating his services as to why transfer was done in haste.
“Is this Naya Pakistan”? Justice Ijazul Ahsan questioned the perception being created by the ruling party whereas the bench observed if the IGP was transferred in response to complaint of a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s senior leader Azam Swati?.
It has been reported that Jan Mohammad was transferred after failing to receive a call from Azam Swati who is cabinet member of the incumbent government, however, government-run Fake News Buster Twitter account has denied such claim.
Secretary establishment apprised the court that transfer move of Jan Muhammad was not compliance in haste saying the transfer is a part of the ongoing plan whereas secretary interior submitted that he was not consulted over transferring the officer.
Addressing to secretary establishment, the Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar asked under which capacity he was doing whatever he wanted to do.
Showing annoyance, Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar expressed that court will not tolerate political transfers. Citing the earlier likewise incident, Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar reiterated that the court will not tolerate such transfers saying there was also a transfer in Punjab, adding current transfer happened within a matter of days.
Issuing directives to establishment and interior secretaries, the court also asked Attorney General for Pakistan to turn up before the court with comprehensive report in the matter.
Later, hearing of the matter was adjourned till October 31