SC withdraws order on suspension of Islamabad IGP's transfer

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Friday withdrew an order for the suspension of the transfer of Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) after Jan Muhammad excused himself from performing duties.

A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar heard a suo motu case regarding the Islamabad IGP’s transfer. IGP Muhammad was transferred on October 27 after he allegedly refused to take action on a complaint by Federal Minister Azam Swati’s son regarding a fight with a family at their farmhouse.

Federal Minister for Science and Technology Azam Swati, the affected family, the attorney general and Islamabad IGP appeared before the bench.

SC rejects govt's plea for appointment of new Islamabad IGP

AGP had filed a request in SC for appointment of new IGP given the current security situation

As the hearing went under way, Jan Muhammad excused himself from performing duties as Islamabad IGP. “I cannot work given the present circumstances and request the court to grant permission on my transfer," he told the bench.

The chief justice then said, “If he is saying, then we permit the transfer. It is your choice and we will not stop you.”

A day earlier, the Supreme Court had rejected a federal government's plea regarding the appointment of a new Islamabad IGP.

Jan Muhammad had resumed charge as Islamabad IGP as he returned from Malaysia on Thursday. Muhammad, who was on leave to attend a course in Kuala Lumpur and whose notification of transfer had earlier been suspended by the Supreme Court, had reviewed the security situation in the federal capital on Thursday.