The family of the suspects who ended up in police custody after an alleged scuffle with the son of a federal minister Tuesday warned of protests, saying Azam Swati’s men attacked their house.
Addressing a press conference, Abdullah, brother of one of the suspects, said Azam Swati wanted to confiscate their property. My brother’s family is being threatened,” he added. Abdullah alleged that the men who attacked his brother’s house also humiliated the women. “Whatever my brother did was to protect his honour. In my area, men fight but never hit women,” he said.
He called on Prime Minister Imran Khan to suspend Swati’s membership, warning of protest outside the residence of the federal minister. “We are giving three days for Swati’s resignation,” he said.
The federal minister had earlier said his house was attacked and employees were injured by members of the family. The issue reportedly led to the transfer of Islamabad Police inspector general.
“I approached Islamabad IG as a common citizen but he did not pick up my call for 22 hours,” said Swati. “Upon incessant failure, I approached Prime Minister Imran Khan and secretary interior and explained issue to them.” The Supreme Court later suspended the notification of transfer of Islamabad Police Inspector General Jan Mohammad.
A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Saqib Nisar heard the suo motu case and directed the federal government to submit detailed reply in this regard till October 31.
As the hearing went underway, attorney general (AG) told the apex court that Jan Mohammad was transferred on Prime Minister Imran Khan’s verbal orders. To this, CJP wondered that a high-ranked police official was transferred merely on verbal orders of the prime minister.
The interior and establishment secretaries also presented a summary regarding “politically-motivated transfer”. It read that Islamabad IG had been transferred on verbal orders of the prime minister. Expressing exasperation on the matter, the top judge made it clear that political meddling in the matters of police would not be tolerated.
“IG Police serves under the interior minister. It has also come to the light that the matter of the phone call is linked to the son of a minister. We will not allow anyone to weaken state institutions. Writ of law will be established at all cost,” he said. Interior ministry on Tuesday issued a notification to formally reinstate Jan Mohammad after Supreme Court’s (SC) verdict. Jan Mohammad – who is in Malaysia – would return on November 2 and resume his duties.
Published in Daily Times, October 31st 2018.