SC orders inquiry into political interference in DPO Pakpattan case

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on Monday ordered inquiry into political interference in Punjab police over controversial transfer of DPO Pakpattan Rizwan Gondal reportedly on the behest of Khawar Maneka.

The CJP directed Punjab IG Kaleem Imam to conduct an impartial investigation into the matter and submit the report within a week.

Another inquiry was ordered by the apex court into the misbehavior of police officials with daughter of Khawar Maneka, ex-husband of First Lady Bushra Imran, at a police post. Additional IG Malik Abu Bakr Khuda Bakhsh was made the investigation officer in this regard.

A three-member bench of the SC headed by CJP Nisar heard a suo moto notice of the transfer of DPO Pakpattan.

The apex court had summoned Khawar Maneka, his son Ibrahim Maneka, Ahsan Jameel, DIG Shehzada Sultan and personal secretary of the Punjab chief minister.

Moreover, Inspector General of Police Punjab had been directed to ensure their presence on September 3. Notices were also issued to the Punjab AIG and RPO Sahiwal.

When asked to comment on how were the transfer orders were issued, the IGP informed the court that he was in Islamabad that day so he gave verbal instructions to the sub-ordinate officer for the transfer. The bench then reprimanded IG Punjab for not following the rules in DPO transfer.

The CJP also expressed displeasure on the misbehavior of policemen deployed at the post with daughter of Khawar Maneka.

Ahsan Jameel Gujjar, the person who approached Chief Minister Punjab Usman Buzdar on behalf of Manka family, also faced bench’s ire.

The chief justice asked why action was not taken against Ahsan Gujjar. "Are you the guardian of the children?" Justice Nisar inquired Gujjar, to which the latter responded that he was the unofficial guardian. He apprised the court that Maneka's children were under pressure and a mutual friend had called him from Africa.

Addressing the Punjab IGP, the chief justice noted, "You forgot my instructions. I had summoned all IGPs and advised them to free themselves from political pressures. The police should not work under political pressure and at the behest of rulers."

On August 30 Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar took notice of Pakpattan incident wherein, DPO Pakpattan Rizwan Gondal was transferred.

Taking notice of the issue, Chief Justice of Pakistan has issued notices to IGP, Punjab, Adl. IGP, Punjab Abubakar Khuda Baksh (Inquiry Officer), RPO Sahiwal and DPO Pakpattan, Rizwan Gondal who was transferred, to appear in the court at principal seat, Islamabad.