Murtaza blasts PTI; defends decision to remove IGP.

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 here on Thursday that Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah had taken Prime Minister Imran Khan into confidence before seeking the removal of the police chief.

'Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) accusation that the decision to remove the IGP 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.

Murtaza asserted that the chief minister had told the premier that the cabinet had no confidence in the IGP, and the process of his removal should be initiated as the ruling party in Sindh was facing criticism.

'The chief minister had aired reservations over the IGP 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 explained.

The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader, however, stated that the IGP could be restored in the same rank if the federal government consults the provincial government. 'The [provincial] cabinet has a consensus that the IGP has lost his credibility,' he stated, while complaining that it was argued that a unilateral decision was taken in this case.

'There are concrete reasons for sending IGP Sindh home [...] law and order situation has deteriorated over the last year,' the Sindh government spokesman said, adding that people had lost their lives in 12 police firing incidents and the crime rate had increased.

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

Murtaza pointed out that whenever the Sindh government inquired about the crime rate, the IGP would claim that 'everything is alright.' 'Does the Sindh government make a mistake while asking him? [...] no government employee can hold a press conference,' he said, adding that police officers had been in a hurry for holding pressers.

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

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