Daily Times

KARACHI: The Sindh government and federal government have locked horns over the appointment of Sindh inspector general (IG).

Sindh IG Allah Dino Khawaja has reportedly refused to leave office after the Sindh government issued a notification to press him to surrender his post on Friday. Without the federal government’s approval, the provincial government issued another statement on Saturday which read that Dasti has been appointed as the acting Sindh IG.

To this, Khawaja refused to leave the office before the issuance of a notification by the federal government, according to sources.

He reportedly claimed that he was appointed by the federation and would not leave charge until asked by the centre.

According to the Sindh police, Dasti has taken charge of the temporary appointment.

With both the officers serving as IG, it is bound to leave the department in turmoil. Last year, the Sindh and federal governments had engaged in a tug of war pertaining to Khawaja’s appointment. On December 19, 2016, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had discharged Khawaja of all duties and sent him on 15-day leave. Responsibilities of the IG were handed over to Additional IG Mushtaq Mehar, according to a notification.

The notification read that Khawaja went on a 15-day leave due to “personal reasons”.

Khawaja had taken the charge as IG in March 2016, replacing Ghulam Haider Jamali, who was sacked in March 2016 on corruption charges.

According to a latter issued by the Sindh chief secretary, Khawaja has been relieved and is directed to report to Establishment Division Islamabad immediately. Letter written by Services Secretary Sajid Jamal Abro stated, “I am directed to refer to the subject noted above and to state that the Government of Sindh has decided to surrender the services of Mr. Allah Dino Khuwaja, an officer of police service of Pakistan (BS-21) Inspector General of Police Sindh Karachi.”

The latter further read, “The Government of Sindh recommends the following officers for posting as Inspector General of Police Sindh, in place of Allah Dino Khuwaja. 1, Sardar Abdul Majeed, 2 Ghulam Qadir Thebu, 3 Khadim Hussain Bhatti.”

The federal government has not agreed with the recommended names.

The Sindh government had decided to remove the IG much earlier but an application against his removal was submitted in the court.

A Sindh police source claimed that the Sindh government wanted Thebu to hold the office.