It has now been revealed that an impartial inquiry against SSP Rao Anwaar became the reason for removal of IG Sindh A.D. Khowaja, who is considered to be an honest and dedicated police officer.
The sources said that the provincial government forced the IGP to clear the SSP Malir in the inquiry, who refused to bow before the pressure and conducted thorough investigations into the matter.
The PPP government wanted a clean chit for Rao Anwaar, which was not accepted to A.D. Khowaja. Consequently, he was shown the door.
SSP Malir was suspended in September for misusing powers after he arrested senior MQM leader Khwaja Izharul Hassan in a dramatic raid at the latter's house.
Later, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah intervened and suspended the officer.
Angry over the suspension, Rao Anwaar warned that there would be “side effects” of this act.
Today, the committee investigating the matter cleared him of all the charges and forwarded the report to the chief minister.The PPP-led Sindh government has sent Inspector General (IG) of Sindh Police A.D. Khawaja on a forced leave today (Monday).
The decision has been taken by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah few days before the arrival of PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari.
According to sources, new Sindh IG’s appointment is expected to take place during AD Khawaja’s absence.
Differences emerged between AD Khawaja and the ruling authorities over the issue of recruitments and appointments in Sindh Police, sources told.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has intervened, stating that AD Khawaja cannot be removed from his post.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had approved the appointment of Allah Dino Khawaja as IG Sindh in March this year after Ghulam Haider Jamali’s removal.
It may be mentioned here that ex-President Asif Ali Zardari will return to Pakistan on December 23 after spending about 18 months in Dubai.
Addressing a press conference in Karachi, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that doctors have allowed his father to travel and he would land in Pakistan on Friday.
Meritorious appointments in Sindh police, row with Asif Ali Zardari’s front man and resistance to restore Rao Anwar as SSP Malir cost AD Khawaja his post of Inspector General of Sindh Police and was sent on 15-day forced leave here on Monday.
Though Government sources claimed it was only a leave on his personal request, AD Khawaja told that efforts were underway since long to remove him and these efforts accelerated after his refused to bow before the political pressure over the appointment of 10,000 policemen.
“Mr. Allah Dino Khawaja, an office of police service of Pakistan (BS-21), Inspector general of Police, Sindh, Karachi is granted twelve days casual leave with effect from 19-12-2016 to 30-12-16, on private affairs and three days leave ex-Pakistan to visit USA, on private affairs with effect from 31-12-2016, subject to title and with condition that his name doesn’t exist on the exit control list and that he is not required by any court of law,” reads a notification issued on Monday by Chief Secretary Sindh, Rizwan Memon.
“AD Khawaja made 10,000 appointments in Sindh police. Not a single voice was raised as process was open and transparent and merit was evident,” says Abbas Nasir, a Karachi based veteran journalist. According to reports Additional Inspector General of Police, Karachi Mushtaq Mehar was given additional charge of IG Sindh beside City Police Chief of Karachi. According to sources, the Sindh Government tried to remove AD Khawaja but the federal government refused to remove the IG from his position, after which he was sent on leave.
Sources revealed that Faryal Talpur, sister of Asif Ali Zardari, was unhappy with Khawaja over his refusal to accommodate recommendation for appointments in police. Sources further disclosed that the Pakistan Peoples Party's desire to appoint Rao Anwar as senior superintendent police Malir was also one of the issue, which Khawaja resisted. The latest reason, sources said, was the row with Asif Ali Zardari over Majeed Abbasi, a front man of the former president in Sindh. Sources said that Abbasi wanted to use Sindh Police for terrorizing farmers, who provide sugarcane to Abbasi’s sugar mill but Khawaja intervened to stopped the use of police for this purpose. AD Khawaja was appointed as IG Sindh Police in March this year after the federal government removed former Sindh IGP Ghulam Hyder Jamali from his post.
Before his appointment as IG, Khawaja had been serving as Additional IG (special branch) and was also a member of an inquiry committee, along with Additional IG (counterterrorism) Dr Sanaullah Abbasi and Additional IG Naeem Shaikh, which was set up to probe illegal appointments.
