KARACHI: A group of around 35 retired inspector generals (IGs) of the Police Service of Pakistan have sought prime minister’s intervention and requested him to play his role in stopping the forced transfer of the provincial police chief. A group of 35 retired IGs of the PSP group have expressed their concern over the way Sindh IG A.D Khowaja has been asked to go on leave by the Sindh government . The retired IGPs of the Pakistan which include Syed Masood Shah, former IG of Punjab and KP; Afzal Ali Shigri, former IG of Sindh; Tariq Pervez, former DG of FIA; Shaukat Javed, former IG of Punjab; Tariq Khosa, former IG of Baluchistan; and Iftikhar Ahmed, former IG of Islamabad have sought an intervention from the Prime minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif. The Pakistan Peoples Party-led Sindh government on December 19 had reportedly sent Inspector General (IG) of Sindh Police AD Khowaja on a forced leave. The decision was taken by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah a few days before the arrival of PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari who has returned on December 23 after spending about 18 months in Dubai. Though the notification issued by Services, General, Administration and Coordination Department (SNGD) of the Sindh government it has not been mentioned that whether the IGP has been sent on forced leave or been transferred or removed, however it has also been learnt that IGP Sindh was asked to leave the post following the differences with the PPP leadership over multiple issues including transfer and postings of the police officers. Federal government has already showed its reservations over the Khowaja’s expected removal. “Transferring an IGP of a province on personal whims not only belittles the office in the eyes of his subordinates and the public, but is also against the norms of justice. The IGP is a member of the police service of Pakistan under the federal government,” stated a letter sent by former IGP Shigri to PM on behalf of 35 retired IGPs who are part of the Pakistan Police Forum, an informal group that strives for the rule of law, good governance and police professionalism. The letter further stated that, “Therefore, we appeal to you not to allow this premature transfer of a provincial police chief. We also request that the government should consider fixing the tenure of IGPs to ensure operational autonomy and depoliticization of police services.”