KARACHI: The Sindh High Court issued a stay order against the removal of Sindh Inspector General of Police AD Khawaja on Wednesday while it heard a petition against the officer’s ouster.
The petitioners, which reportedly included musician Shehzad Roy, had requested the court to block the removal of the IG, on the grounds that Khawaja was a respected officer who was given forced leave solely because he enforced recruitment into the police force on merit.
The petitioners added that that it was apparent that Khawaja was being removed permanently after Advisor to the Sindh Chief Minister Saeed Ghani publicly declared that the IG should not be allowed to return to his office under current circumstances.
The court issued notices to Khawaja as well as the federal and provincial governments to appear in court on January 12th, when it intends to resume proceedings.
Khawaja was appointed as the Inspector General some eight months ago, however his relationship with the Pakistan People’s Party, which holds the mandate for the province, deteriorated over certain professional matters allegedly resulting in his dismissal.
