Murtaza Wahab defends decision to remove IG

Karachi: In a scathing rejoinder to criticism of the PPP government over withdrawing services of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Kaleem Imam, Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab said Thursday Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah took Prime Minister Imran Khan into confidence before seeking to remove the incumbent police chief.

“PTI’s accusation that the decision to remove the IG is unilateral is based on a lack of knowledge,” he said while speaking at a press conference.

He added the procedure was followed before surrendering the services of Dr Imam.

During a press conference in Karachi, Wahab asserted that the chief minister told the premier that the cabinet had no confidence in the IG, and the process of his removal should be initiated as the ruling party in Sindh had been facing criticism.

“The chief minister had aired reservations on the IG during his meeting with the prime minister and informed him about members of the Sindh cabinet having no confidence in the provincial police chief,” Murtaza Wahab explained.

The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), however, stated that the IG could be restored in the same rank if the federal government consults the provincial government.

“The [provincial] cabinet achieved consensus that the IG has lost its credibility,” he stated, while complaining that it was argued that a unilateral decision was taken in this matter.

“There are concrete reasons for sending IG Sindh home […] law and order situation has deteriorated over the last year,” he said, adding that people lost their lives in 12 police firing incidents and the crime rate has increased.

The spokesperson further stated that the provincial government would inquire “if anything goes wrong as the police is independent but answerable to the government.” “All of us are required to follow the Constitution […] five IGs were changed in Punjab and four IGs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he said, while complaining of no criticism on those decisions.

Wahab pointed out that whenever the Sindh government inquires (about incidents), the IG claims of “everything alright.” “Does the Sindh government makes a mistake while asking him? […] no government employee can hold press conference,” he said, adding that police officers have been in hurry for holding pressers.

The Sindh government spokesperson regretted that a “private man” was allowed access to a killer of 96 individuals.

Reacting to the announcement, the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) has decided to approach the court against the removal/transfer of IG Kaleem Imam.

PM Imran Khan has also telephoned Sindh Governor Imran Ismail to discuss the same matter, and directed him to take all stakeholders into confidence.

Meanwhile, PTI Leader Haleem Adil Sheikh stated that the government stood with the IG and would not allow the Sindh government to do anything illegal.

Sources familiar with the matter told the media that despite complaints against senior police officers including Additional IG, SSPs, SPs and ASP, the provincial government had taken no action against them.

They said that differences emerged between the provincial government and Sindh police. Sources informed that SP Fida Shah had been involved in illegal postings as well.

Earlier, the Sindh government forwarded three names to the Centre for the appointment of new inspector general (IG) of the province.

The three names include Ghulam Qadir Thebo, Mustaq Meher and Kamran Fazal, and the federal government will issue a notification of the appointment of the new IG.

Yesterday, the provincial cabinet approved the removal of Kaleem Imam as the Sindh IG.

The provincial cabinet mentioned that nominated person, Thebo, “is an officer of good reputation and have worked in various positions in the province.”

The chief minister expressed that he would like to keep the police separate from the politics. He asserted that the police chief should refrain from giving political statements. “Any SSP or police officer who is fond of politics should do politics,” he added.

The reasons for Mr Imam’s removal were stated as his alleged non-cooperation with the Sindh government, failure to implement directives issued from the CM House, and frequent absence in key meetings of the government.

In Sept 2018, Dr Syed Kaleem Imam was appointed as the inspector general of Sindh police.