PM refuses to reinstate ex-RPO in Bisham tragedy

PESHAWAR: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has rejected the summary to reinstate former RPO Hazara, Mohammad Ijaz Khan.

The Establishment Department had requested a review of the decision to suspend Mohammad Ejaz Khan over the Bisham tragedy, citing that the preliminary inquiry did not indicate any lapses on his part. Suspension and disciplinary action, according to them, are inconsistent with the findings of fact-finding inquiry report.

A letter issued by the Establishment Division U.O No 1/16/2024-D-111 on April 14, 2024, stated that under the prime minister’s approval, four PSP officers were placed under suspension for a period of 120 days under Rule 5 of the Civil Servants (Efficiency and Discipline) Rules, 2020.

The officers are Muhammad Ijaz Khan (PSP/BS-20), RPO, Hazara Division; Muhammad Zafar Ali (PSP/BS-20), Commandant SSU, KPK; Jamil Akhtar (PSP/BS-18), DPO, Lower Kohistan District and Muhammad Sulman (PSP/BS-18), DPO, Upper Kohistan District.

However, upon reviewing the fact-finding inquiry report, it was found that no act of omission/commission had been identified in respect of Muhammad Ijaz Khan (PSP/BS-20), RPO, Hazara Division, by the inquiry committee. The perusal of the report further indicates that the decision to suspend Muhammad Ijaz Khan needs to be reviewed, as his suspension and subsequent disciplinary proceedings do not align with the facts presented in the report.

The letter proposed that the suspension of Muhammad Ijaz Khan be withdrawn ab initio, and disciplinary proceedings not be initiated against him. It, however, suggested the approval of draft inquiry order, charge sheet and statement of allegation in respect of the other three PSP officers.

However, credible sources have confirmed that the prime minister has rejected the summary and instructed to proceed against the former RPO, Muhammad Ijaz Khan.