IGP proceeds on 14-day ex-Pakistan leave.

LAHORE -- The Punjab government has granted 14-day ex-Pakistan leave to Inspector General of Police Faisal Shahkar, giving additional charge to a BS-21 police officer.

It was the second 22 grade top slot of the province after the chief secretary, which has been assigned to an officer 'to look after' the financial and administrative affairs.

The development may grant 'unbridled powers' to the Punjab Chief Minister's Secretariat to take decisions of choice as the government had been facing resistance from the two officers in many affairs, especially transfer/posting matters.

An official said it was the first time both the chief secretary and the IGP had refused to work under the present political set-up, alleging 'interference' in their respective administrative matters besides spate of criticism by the political parties. He said the Punjab government had approved 14-day ex-Pakistan leave of Faisal Shahkar on Friday from Nov 10 to 23 as he said he was visiting Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah.

Earlier, he applied for official leave a few days ago after he had written to the federal government that he was not willing to further serve as the Punjab IGP and requested it to transfer him out of the province. In response to his request for leave, Chief Minister Parvez Elahi promptly accorded approval and directed the acting chief secretary to issue a notification.

On Friday, the government issued no...