Sindh government continues efforts to remove AD Khawaja

KARACHI: Secretary Services Sindh recommended on Saturday that Sardar Muhammad Dasti should replace existing Inspector General of Police AD Khawaja.

The recommendation came during a session of the Sindh cabinet presided by Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah.

The Secretary Services in his briefing said that AD Khawaja was brought as the IGP Sindh in 2016 under OPS (own pay scale) but the Supreme Court, later on, ended all OPS postings.

He said that the Sindh government should return the services of AD Khawaja to the centre, adding that Additional IG Abdul Majeed Dasti — who is a 22-grade officer — should be appointed as the police force's top boss.

Sindh IG AD Khawaja to continue on post, rules SHC

IG AD Khawaja had been removed by the provincial govt earlier this year

AD Khawaja also gave a briefing, in which he mentioned that his order was dealt by the centre as per the will of the Sindh government.

“At the time of my appointment, the SC order regarding the OPS was there,” said Khawaja.

AD Khawaja then gave a recommendation that a police officer should not be transferred before the end of tenure without substantial grounds.  

He maintained that the police chiefs for other provinces, except Punjab, are also Grade-21 officers. He remarked that the Punjab IG was promoted to Grade 22 after being appointed as the province's top cop.

Khawaja said that the posting of Additional IG, DIG and SSP is for two years and for the rest of the ranks it should be one year.

He said that the IG police should have the right to transfer police officers.

In his recommendation, Khawaja said that an SHO should be upper school course qualified and should not be more than 55 years old.

The SHOs should be of inspector or sub-inspector rank, he added. 

Following Khawaja’s briefing, Home Secretary Sindh said that the committee comprising Home Minister and the Advocate General was made by CM Sindh and IG Sindh named four police force categories, however, those were declined by the committee.

AD Khawaja writes letter to CM Sindh, decries measures belittling authority

Khawaja requested CM Sindh to save the police department from complete disorder through timely intervention

In April this year, the Sindh government ‘surrendered’ Khawaja’s services to the federal government as it appointed Additional IG Abdul Majeed Dasti as the force’s top boss.

However, the Sindh High Court (SHC) suspended the provincial government's notification for Khawaja's removal.