The Sindh government on Saturday removed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sindh AD Khuwaja from his post and appointed Sardar Abdul Majeed as acting IGP of the province. According to sources, federal government is likely to turn down Sindh government's decision as the latter has not purportedly followed rules of procedures in relieving Khuwaja from his post.
"Mr. Allah Dinoo Khowaja, an officer of police Service of Pakistan (BS-21) Inspector General of Police, Sindh, is hereby relieved from the said post with immediate effect," states a notification issued by Sindh government. AD Khuwja has been directed to report to the Establishment Division of , Government of Pakistan, Islamabad.
According to the notification, Sardar Abdul Majeed, an Officer of Police Service of Pakistan (BS-21), Additional Inspector General of Police / Research, Development, Inspection & Enquires, Sindh shall hold the charge of the post of IGP Sindh in addition to his own duties till all appointment of regular incumbent by federal government. Well-informed sources said Khawaja had serious differences with the PPP-led Sindh government over transfers and postings of police officials.
The Sindh government is now expected to recommend the names of three officials for the appointment of IG Police post including Iqbal Mehmood's, who is currently serving as Chief of Police Foundation and Ghulam Qadir Thebo's, who is chairman of Anti-Corruption Department. Acting IG, Mushtaq Mehar is also among the frontrunner for the post. According to sources, "Khawaja had outrightly refused to follow the directives of PPP's leaders and asked them to let him work as per the official guidelines of the state." They said the PPP leaders had wanted Khawaja to facilitate sugarcane supplies to certain mills in the province against the will of growers, which he had refused to do.