Daily Times

In line with the directions of the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the Establishment Division Monday removed Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Akbar Nisar Khan and Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon from their posts with immediate effect.

It is pertinent to mention here that then-DIG (grade-20) Nasir was appointed as the top cop in the federal capital in May 2022, by the former Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)-led coalition government.

In October, the ECP had asked the interior ministry to transfer the officers after different political parties filed complaints against them fearing they may influence the outcome of the upcoming elections. In November, the interior ministry asked the Establishment Division to transfer the Islamabad IG and the deputy commissioner without further delay in light of the directives issued by the ECP. However, the division turned a deaf ear towards the directives.

Last week, the ECP summoned the Establishment Division secretary, seeking an explanation for not removing the officers. The ECP directed the secretary to appear before it on December 26. In a bid to avoid any departmental action or punishment, the authorities removed the officers from their posts just a day before the Establishment Division secretary was to appear before the electoral watchdog.

Prime Minister Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has asked the Establishment Division to propose a panel of officers to fill the vacant posts. “The prime minister has seen and is pleased to desire that with regard to replacement of deputy commissioner Islamabad and inspector general of police Islamabad, Establishment Division shall propose a panel of officers for his perusal/orders,” read a letter issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.