Islamabad appoints Kaleem Imam to head Narcotics Division

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday decided to transfer incumbent Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kaleem Imam as Secretary Narcotics Division, reported the Geo News.

The decision was communicated by the PM Imran to Dr Kaleem Imam in their meeting in Islamabad. During the meeting, the province’s top cop briefed the premier on the law and order situation across the province. The federal cabinet on Tuesday had delayed the appointment of a new Inspector General of Police (IGP) for Sindh after the government’s allies expressed “deep reservations” over Sindh’s request to transfer Imam out of the province.

The delay came a day after PM Imran and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had met to discuss the new IGP’s appointment. A couple of days ago, the Sindh cabinet had decided to appoint a new IGP to replace Imam. Then the federal government had snubbed Sindh’s request, saying he would continue to serve until further notice.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) protested that the governor and opposition have no role in appointing the new Inspector General of Police (IGP) for Sindh. Speaking to the media, Sindh Chief Minister’s Adviser on Information, Law, and Anti-Corruption Murtaza Wahab expressed disappointment over the federal government’s move to backtrack from appointing a new Sindh IGP.

Wahab said the federal government was provided three names by the Sindh government at first and later, two more, for the IGP. The consultation process between the federal government and Sindh had started on December 23, 2019, he added. “We were told that the prime minister was in Davos and that he would resolve the issue [of the new IGP’s appointment] on his return,” said Wahab.