Sindh IGP Imam to stay in office till federal govt considers removal request

The federal government on Saturday said it was considering a request by the Sindh government to remove Sindh Inspector General Police Kaleem Imam from office over unsatisfactory performance. 

Earlier this week, the provincial authorities had written a letter to the establishment division asking for the removal of Imam and the appointment of another police officer in his place. 

In the letter, the Sindh government had also suggested new names for the post. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which is in opposition in Sindh, had subsequently said it would challenge the removal of Imam in court. 

Also read: Saeed Ghani alleges 'NAB-like' Sindh Police involved in extra-judicial killings

The establishment division, in its response on Saturday, said that it was considering the request but Imam would remain in office until a final decision had been made. 

According to sources, the establishment division will consider replacing Imam on the directives of the prime minister, and is against the appointment of an acting inspector-general in his place. 

Also read: Sanaullah Abbasi appointed new Khyber Pakhtunkhwa IGP

Sindh approaches Centre for removal of Imam

The Sindh cabinet had on Monday lent approval to a recommendation to the Centre requesting for the removal of IG Sindh over unsatisfactory performance in office. 

Sindh Information Minister Saeed Ghani spoke to media after the decision had been made, claiming that during the tenure of Imam as IG Sindh, several unlawful acts had taken place in the province.

Also read: Sindh Energy Minister Imtiaz Shaikh runs crime wing, influences police hiring: report

The provincial minister said that four names had been recommended to the federal cabinet for Imam's replacement. “The provincial government will write to the cabinet to remove Imam from the office,” said Ghani.

He said that during the tenure of the incumbent inspector-general, several kidnappings and fake encounters had taken place.  “At several occasions, IG Sindh Kaleem gave irresponsible statements,” said Ghani. 

Also read: Karachi traffic police gear up for crackdown; violators to be arrested starting Friday

PTI says will take Sindh government to court

PTI leader Firdous Shamim Naqvi, in response to the statements made by Ghani, had announced that his party would take the Sindh government to court for removing Imam.

Naqvi said the provincial government cannot change an IGP without consultations. "The legal process must be followed if Sindh government wishes to remove Imam Kaleem as the top police official of Sindh."

"The doors of the court are open for us and for Imam Kaleem as well," he added, noting that it was the federal government that suggested names for Sindh IGP, and not the provincial authorities.