Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday summoned Khawar Maneka, former husband of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s wife, on September 3.

A three-member SC bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar was hearing a suo motu notice of the transfer of Pakpattan District Police Officer Rizwan Gondal after an alleged altercation with Maneka.

The court also summoned Ahsan Jameel, DIG Shehzada Sultan and Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar’s personal secretary as well as his chief security officer for the hearing.

The court directed the Punjab Police inspector general (IG) to ensure their presence.

As the hearing went underway, the court questioned why the DPO was asked to visit Maneka’s house to apologise and why was he transferred.

“We will not tolerate political interference or influence,” Justice Ijazul Ahsan remarked.

The bench then directed Pakpattan DPO Rizwan Gondal and the regional police officer (RPO) to submit affidavits.

During the hearing, Pakpattan DPO said he had sent a WhatsApp message to Punjab top cop detailing the events of the incident.

The hearing of the case was then adjourned till September 3. On Thursday, the top court took suo motu notice of the DPO’s transfer that stirred a controversy earlier this week, as speculation suggested that the police officer was transferred because of an altercation between police and Maneka.

According to reports, police personnel under Gondal’s watch tried to stop Maneka at a checkpoint for speeding but he did not stop. The police then chased his vehicle and managed to intercept him.

Soon after the reports, the provincial top cop denied that Gondal was transferred under any pressure and said it was done due to his misleading statements about misbehaviour by police personnel with a citizen.

Published in Daily Times, September 1^st 2018.