Provincial government of Sindh does not share a rather satisfying history with Police establishment in in the province. CM Murad Ali Shah has requested to remove Dr. Syed Kaleem Imam and held a meeting with PM Imran Khan in this regard. On the contrary, IG, Kaleem Imam has other ideas in his mind. In a new statement he said that he won’t leave easy.
While addressing a ceremony in Karachi, the IG said that as of yet speculations are being made about his possible transfer. He further said, “even if I am transferred, I am worth my weight in gold.”
He further said that a huge conspiracy is in place behind the campaign of his removal. He later clarified that he used the word “conspiracy” as a joke.
He further added while addressing the ceremony hosted by Sindh police, “this ceremony is being considered as my farewell ceremony,” adding that “It seems like Sindh police are trying to save its budget.”
CM Murad Ali Shah earlier appointed Kaleem Imam in September 2018 after his own request to the Federal government. But, the rift between the provincial government and police top cop had been created over number of issues.
The Sindh government maintained that the government is seeking the IGP’s removal due to “non-cooperation with the Sindh government, and failure to implement directives issued from the CM House,” also the absence from the meetings.
However, the Federal government has assured Murad Ali Shah that they are with the Sindh government over the issue of IGP Imam. PM further directed governor Imran Ismail to reach consensus with CM over the issue.
In Islamabad, at the cabinet meeting, the members and ministers conveyed their reservations to PM over replacing IGP Imam. Earlier, PM send the names to Sindh government to consider their appointment as IGP.
The police law, however says that IGP can be changed only after the consultation of Federal and provincial government, the Section 12(2) of the Sindh (Repeal of the Police Act, 1961 and Revival of Police Order, 2002) (Amendment) Act, 2019 says: “The provincial government or the federal government may for ‘compelling reasons,’ in consultation with each other, repatriate, or recall, the inspector general of police, as the case may be.”
The love and hate relationship between IGs is not new for the Federal government also, they changed multiple IGs in KP and Punjab due to non-cooperation including Kaleem Imam, who was the IGP Punjab, later removed by the Federal government. PTI government allege multiple times, the police establishment and provincial establishment and bureaucracy is putting road blocks and hindering the work of Punjab and Federal governments.
