Consultation with Centre ordered: Services of Sindh IGP shall not be surrendered: SHC

Sindh High Court (SHC) Monday ordered the provincial government that services of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sindh shall not be surrendered without consulting the federal government till the next hearing of the case.

A division bench of SHC headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar issued the order in a petition, filed by social activist Jibran Nasir against the action of Sindh government to remove IGP Dr Kaleem Imam. The court also ordered to issue notices to federal and provincial governments.

According to the written order of the court, the petitioner brought the petition for enforcement of Article 12 (2) of the Sindh (Repeal of the Police Act, 1861 and Revival of Police Order, 2002) (Amendment) Act, 2019 in letter and spirit.

The counsel for the petitioner referred to Page-503 of the law and specifically referred to Article 12 (1), which provides for three years tenure and posting of Inspector General of

Police under Article 11.

He argued that without meaningful consultation with the federal government, the provincial government has decided to surrender the services of the Inspector General of Police, Sindh unilaterally to the Establishment Division.

Ghulam Shabbir Shah, Additional Advocate General, Sindh argued that no action in violation of Article 12 (2) of the Sindh (Repeal of the Police Act, 1861 and Revival of Police Order, 2002) (Amendment) Act, 2019 will be taken by the government of Sindh.

He further submitted that neither the services of the Inspector General of Police, Sindh has been surrendered/suspended nor has he been removed.

In so far as the question of surrendering the services of the Inspector General of Police Sindh, provincial government has already communicated to the federal government and consultation process has been started, Shah told the court.

The court ordered to issue notice to federal and provincial governments and directed that till the next date of hearing the services of Inspector General of Police, Sindh shall not be surrendered without consulting the federal government.