KARACHI: The Sindh High Court has restrained the authorities from removing Sindh police chief AD Khawaja unlawfully from his post. A division bench headed by chief justice Sajjad Ali Shah issued notices to the respondent authorities – interior ministry, secretary law and justice department, Sindh chief secretary, home secretary, Rangers director general, IG Khawaja and acting IG – to file their respective replies to the petition until Jan 12. Civil rights campaigners -Karamat Ali, Shehzad Roy, Nazim Fida Hussain Haji, Orangi Pilot Project Research & Training Institute, Pakistan Institute of Labour Education & Research and others – had gone to the court against the possible removal of the incumbent IG Sindh. In the petition, they submitted that Khawaja was sent on forced leave on Dec 19 by Sindh’s chief secretary as the government was reportedly displeased with him over recruitments in police department on merit and suspension of retired officers against the wishes of the political leaders of the ruling party. Khawaja, who was appointed at the post on March 12 this year, was known for his uprightness and achievements in reforming his force. Comprehensive recruitment policy, seniority policy, recruitment of almost 20000 personnel on merit, promoting deserving 282 inspectors to the post of DSPs, and 870 sub-inspectors to the next rank are but a few of his achievements, said the petitioners. He also formed Sindh Police Recruitment Board for transparent decisions, Sindh Police Welfare Boord, and revived Benevolent Fund of Sindh police. The petitioners’ lawyer contended that the government’s decision sending IG Sindh on forced leave was unjustified, arbitrary and contrary to the norms of good governance and justice. Besides, he argued that the provincial government had enacted the Sindh (Repeal of the Police Order 2002 and Revival of the Police Act 1861) Act 2011, subverting transparency and check-and-balance mechanism. The Police Order 2002 was promulgated to reform police and redefine its role, duties and responsibilities according to the Constitution. In order to achieve its objectives, the law required a number of institutions to be set up for public oversight and maintaining check and balance and to increase efficiency of the police by minimizing political influence, he said while lamenting that since its promulgation the law is yet to be implemented. The petitioners said that they were aggrieved at the repealing of the law and the provincial government’s interference in the police department and sending Khawaja on forced leave. The petitioners pleaded the court to declare that the Police Order 2002 is constitutionally and legally valid and in force and has not been repealed by the above-mentioned Act. The court was requested to restrain the respondent authorities from taking any adverse action against the incumbent IG Sindh.