Why AD is unacceptable?

While the Sindh High Court will again take up the matter regarding the provincial government’s decision to remove IGP AD Khawaja, today, an inside story into the circumstances which led to this move only reflect the amount of political interference in police, in some cases even beyond the chief minister's reach.

Anyone, who tried to make police politically independent or bring reforms, may not be acceptable. Case of AD Khawaja is not different.

AD himself has now asked the federal government to release him as it would only lead to further uncertainty. Since the SHC extended the first stay order, he has not been consulted nor has a meeting with the chief minister. His departure would not only be a blow to the police but also for the people as the man carries an unblemished career and his only fault was that he did not entertained some unlawful orders.

This is how an untold story goes:

After the return of former president Asif Ali Zardari, he attended a meeting at the CM House, in which only four people were present – Mr AZ, AD, Murad Ali Shah and a legal adviser. Mr Khawaja at the outset told the former president that he did not want to continue as IGP and advised them to talk to the prime minister or the interior minister, as his appointing authority was the Establishment Division, an unimpeachable source disclosed.

The IGP was frustrated because of the events which had taken place in the last few months, particularly since October/ November. Meeting ended without any decision but sources said Mr Zardari was very receptive during the whole conversation.

The crises started when the IGP, constituted a Recruitment Board and changed the policy of recruitment to stop political interference. For the first time, he also included a CPLC chief in the board. The task for physical training and fitness were handed over to army and in the end 10,000 police constables were selected.

The factors which led to the crisis includes: (1) recruitment policy; (2) controversy revolving around the recovery of weapons allegedly from the house of Anwer Majeed's son but it was showed outside the house in the FIR; (3) his unpleasant meetings and telephonic conversations with Ms Faryal Talpur and hot talk with Anwer Majeed; (4) his helplessness to bring some good police officers in Sindh and remove controversial and corrupt ones; (5) refusal to award contracts to some people, funds issue; (6) putting one of the most untouchable unit in the police, SSU, under control of the city police chief.

Sources said Khawaja, after his failure in getting some of his recommended officers – like Hussain Asghar and Kaleem Imam – to remove and post those officers who had been sidelined, he realised his limitations and thus decided to hit back in a different and more professional way. He appointed an independent 'Recruitment Board in which for the first time the CPLC president was included for written test and interviews, while he outsourced physical training and fitness to the army.

At first, the chief minister inquired about the board and, the sources said, was satisfied after been given the presentation.

But, it was the PPP power lady, Ms Faryal Talpur, who asked the IGP to disband the board or make amendment for quota of MPAs.

The sources said the meeting ended when IGP regretted.

According to the sources, Khawaja tried to explain that once these recruits passed the test, he would call the respective MPAs to distribute the certificates in their respective constituencies. But she was of the view that if the MPAs couldn't even appoint constables then how they would go in the next elections.

The controversy with Anwar Majeed finally let to some very hot conversation after he telephoned IGP who was asked to withdraw his directives given to the SSP Badin in a sugarcane controversy.

The source disclosed that it was really a harsh talk and ended when both banged the phones.

They said the problem between IGP and Majeed triggered when the police on a tip-off allegedly recovered weapon from his son’s house. The cards of some PPP workers were also seized. The IGP sent a video through WhatsApp to the CM.

Within hours he was first asked not to register an FIR but after his refusal, the powerful SSP of the area was allegedly told directly not to show party cards in the FIR. The weapons were also shown to be recovered outside the house.

Sources said he once again received a call from Majeed, which ended in the same style.

Politics was also one of the reasons for Khawaja's 14-day leave during which Rangers raided some offices, one of them linked to Majeed.

Sources said during his stay in Sindh as IGP, Khawaja realised that whether it is Qaim Ali Shah or more energetic Murad Ali Shah, the real power belongs to the people like Faryal and Anwer Majeed.

When Murad Ali Shah was elected as the CM, there were some high hopes as he was not only active and but he also knows the art of making difficult decisions. Since AD had served as PSO to his father and former CM late Abdullah Shah, they understand the body language of each other.

Shah also knows his limitations and he also remembered the advice given to him by some PPP stalwarts about keeping distance from certain people in the party as much as possible.

In this IGP controversy, the sources added, the role of the CM is not more than a 'Post Master General’.

Despite Shah's personal desire to retain AD, he first asked him to go on two weeks leave. And later when he asked him to extend his leave, AD advised him to talk to the PM or Interior Ministry and propose a suitable IGP who could go along with them.

Corps headquarters and Rangers are also well aware of the situation and wanted AD to continue. So was the desire of the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. But after the cabinet decision, the IGP told the Centre that it is getting very difficult for him to continue in circumstances where even the CM has not met him since the SHC’s orders. Secondly, the Sindh police moral is down and confusion prevails among officers.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had come with the vision to make things more transparent but when he started taking some drastic measures he was put on the backseat. All the decisions he had announced in a public meeting near Mazar-e-Quaid were overturned or never implemented.

After the Sindh cabinet decided against keeping AD Khawaja, he advised the Sindh government that it would be in the best interest of the province that he should be relieved as the present situation has not only adversely affected the police moral police but could also produce negative impact on the Karachi operation.

His appointment was made by the Establishment Division and his removal would also come from them.

Sindh may once again send three names but the sources said even Bilawal Bhutto was not happy with the manner in which the issue was tackled and once even put his foot down over the three names which were sent.

The sources said he had particularly opposed the appointment of one of those three, who otherwise are in the good book of the people behind removing AD Khawaja.

This may be a very depressing situation for the Apex Committee which may not meet again till this crisis is over.

The writer is a senior columnist and analyst of GEO, The News and Jang.

Twitter: @MazharAbbasGEO