KARACHI: Sohail Anwar Siyal has emerged as the most powerful Home minster of Sindh as he can now enjoy the powers of Chief Minister, according to the notification issued on Saturday the officers of 18 to 20 grades can now be posted after the approval from home minister instead of Chief Minister. A few days ago the transferring powers of postings of 18 to 20 grades officers were withdrawn from Inspector General Sindh AD Khwaja and was delegated to the Services General Administration & Coordination Department with the approval of chief Minister but now according to the new notification officials ranked from SPs to DIGs will be transferred and posted by the Services General Administration & Coordination Department with the approval of Home Minister. In this regard a notification NO.SOIII(S&GAD) POL-6-1/2011has been issued by the Services General Administration & Coordination Department dated 07th July, 2017. That letter reads as follows “In pursuance of Rule-7(ii) of the Sindh Government Rules of Business 1986 and with the approval of chief minister Sindh, the transfer/ posting of Superintendents of police (BS -18) and equitant, Seniour Superintendents of police (BS-19) and Deputey General of police (BS-20) and equitant, shell be issued by Services General Administration & Coordination Department with the approval of Home Minister”. It further reads as “the Department’s Notification of even number dated 30.06.2017 where the transfer and posting of Superintendents of police (BS -18) and equitant, Senior Superintendents of police (BS-19) and Deputy General of police (BS-20) and equitant, were to be issued by Services General Administration & Coordination Department with the approval of Chief Minister Sindh, is here by Canceled / Withdrawn”. It is first time in the history of Sindh police that such powers has been delegated to the Home minister The tussle between the IGP Khowaja and Sindh government had once surfaced when the Sindh government had sent IGP Khowaja on forced leave following the differences erupted over multiple issues, particularly over transfer and postings of the SSPs and SPs, however, the government withdrew its decision and IGP rejoined the office after the court intervened. IGP Khowaja has already approached to surrender his services but the decision has remained pending. “The situation turned more critical when a senior PPP leader Sohail Anwar Sial resumed the charge of his office as home minister Sindh,” a source in the home department explained. “Since the tussle begun, the government has attempted to remove the IGP number of times but this is a final attempt as after this, the IGP will have no special powers which will compel him to surrender his services.” The Sindh government has already decided to appoint a senior police official Sardar Abdul Majeed Dasti in replacement of IGP Khowaja and is waiting for the removal of the IGP. According to the source by issuing this notification, a clear message has conveyed to the AD Khawaja that Sindh Government has complete trust and support in Sohail Anwar Siyal. Published in Daily Times, July 9th , 2017