Centre rejects Sindh govt's request to appoint acting police chief.

Byline: Imtiaz Ali

KARACHI -- Inspector General of Police Dr Kaleem Imam chaired a high-level meeting at his office on Saturday after the federal government categorically told the Sindh government that it would not unilaterally repatriate or transfer the police chief.

The establishment division in a letter to the Sindh chief secretary stated that giving charge of the IGP to an additional IG would not be compatible with an agreement dated 1993 between the federal government and federating units.

The Sindh government in its Jan 16 letter to the establishment secretary had stated that 'till the time a new IGP is posted, the government of Sindh will assign look-after charge of the post of IGP to an additional IGP (BS-21) currently working in the province.'

However, in response to the province's letter, the federal government in its letter dated Jan 17 pointed out that 'the look-after charge of the post of IGP Sindh cannot be assigned to any additional IGP of police working in the province being not covered under the inter-provincial agreement of 1993'.

Establishment division says the issue of recall of IGP is being taken up with PM; Kaleem Imam chairs meeting at CPO

It stated that in case the competent authority decided to transfer Dr Kaleem Imam, a stop-gap arrangement can only be made by the competent authority, which meant the federal government.

The establishment division stated in the letter that the transfer-posting of an IGP was made by the federal government in 'consultation' with the provincial government concerned in accordance with the procedure prescribed in para-II (iv) of the Inter-Provincial Agreement reached between the centre and federating units on Sept 19, 1993.

'The issue of recall of IGP Sindh and posting of his replacement as requested by the Sindh govt is being taken up with the competent authority.'

It said that the decision to this effect, once reached, would be communicated to the Sindh government. 'In the meantime, the incumbent IGP Sindh, Dr Kaleem Imam shall continue to discharge his duties as unilateral repatriation of the provincial police chief and look-after charge of the post cannot be assigned to any Add. IGP by the province in accordance with the procedure (concerned).'

IGP's meeting

Following the letter, the IGP chaired the meeting at the Central Police Office, which was attended by the city police chief, DIGs and SSPs. Other additional IGs, DIGs and SSPs posted across the province also attended the meeting...