Govt’s interference has rendered IGP ineffective, AAG tells SHC

The Sindh government is interfering with provincial police chief AD Khowaja’s day-to-day duties and these hindrances are affecting the province’s law and order situation, the provincial additional attorney general told the Sindh High Court on Thursday.

The court was hearing a petition filed by civil rights activists, including Karamat Ali, against the repeal of the Police Order, 2002, through the Sindh (Repeal of the Police Order, 2002 & Revival of the Police Act, 1861) Act, 2011, lack of implementation of the Police Order, 2002, and the provincial government’s attempt to transfer Sindh IGP AD Khowaja.

Sindh Additional Attorney General Salman Talibuddin submitted that the provincial government had rendered the police chief ineffective, as he was not being invited to briefings and meetings on security matters. He said the police department and its personnel were being demoralised as their chief was facing discriminatory behaviour from the government.

The attorney requested the court to stop the provincial government from interfering in the police chief’s work.

The court directed the additional attorney general to submit an application with regards to the provincial government’s interference, along with relevant material and evidences.

The court partly heard the arguments of the petitioner’s counsel, Faisal Siddiqui, who contended that the police department should be de-politicised so that it could work independently.

Headed by Justice Munib Akhtar, the SHC division bench extended the interim stay order against transfer of Sindh IGP AD Khowaja and adjourned the hearing till May 2.