Top GB cop replaced over 'clash with Punjab police'.

LAHORE -- In a bizarre turn of events, the federal government on WedAnesday transferred Gilgit-Baltistan Inspector General of Police (IGP) Muhammad Saeed from his post following allegations - levelled by the information minister - that GB police personnel were being pitted against Punjab police as the latter attempted to arrest PTI chief Imran Khan from his Zaman Park residence in Lahore.

The GB police chief's swift removal came as a surprise, especially after the Punjab police chief denied that any such confrontation had taken place.

According to the notification issued by the Establishment Division, 'Mr Muhammad Saeed, a BS-21 officer of Police Service of Pakistan, presently posted as Inspector General Gilgit-Baltistan, is transferred and directed to report to the Establishment Division'.

Another notification said: 'Dr Ali Khan Khattak, a BS-20 officer of Police Service of Pakistan presently working under the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is transferred and posted as Inspector General Gilgit-Baltistan, under section 10 of Civil Service Act, 1973.'

Earlier in the day, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb had claimed that a 'Gilgit-Baltistan force' was being used to attack Punjab police 'who are trying to implement court orders to detain Imran Khan'.

Responding to PTI allegations that law enforcement personnel were firing on Mr Khan's supporters gathered at Zaman Park, she said the law enforcement officials deployAAed there were unarmed.

Waving a copy of the warrant issued against Mr Khan, she claimed that at least 65 policemen were injured while attempting to implement the court orders.

Punjab police denial

However, when Dawn attempted to verify the Centre's claim regarding confrontation between police personnel from Punjab and GB, the provincial police chief termed these reports 'baseless'.

Talking to Dawn, Punjab IGP Dr Usman Anwar said no clash or confrontation occurred with GB police anywhere in Zaman Park, adding that GB policemen had not pointed their guns at Lahore police personnel.

'When Lahore police was engaged for the purpose, the GB police had gone (back),' the IGP said.

In a farewell message to his force, the outgoing GB police chief said that during his two-year tenure, he had tried to discharge him responsibilities to the best of his abilities, to solve the problems of Gilgit-Baltistan police and make necessary reforms.

Mr Wazir said that if...