The Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that Sindh Inspector General of Police AD Khawaja will continue on his post.
The directions were given during the hearing of the Sindh government's plea challenging an order of the Sindh High Court (SHC) which ruled in September last year that Khawaja would continue as the provincial police chief.
During the hearing of the provincial government's appeal, the three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar and comprising Justices Umar Ata Bandiyal and Ijazul Ahsan, restrained the federal government from replacing Khawaja.
The court ruled that any move of the federal government to transfer the IG will have no effect. The IG will also have complete authority to order transfers and postings in the province, the court observed.
Moreover, the bench ordered to uphold the SHC order.
On September 7 last year, the SHC had dismissed the provincial government's order removing Khawaja and ordered that he complete his due term.
On April 3, the court had dismissed the provincial government’s decision to remove the Sindh police chief after a group of activists approached the SHC challenging his controversial removal.
On October 30, Sindh government had challenged the SHC decision in the Supreme Court.
On January 10, the federal cabinet approved the Sindh government's request to post Sardar Abdul Majeed Dasti as the new IG, according to sources.
Since last year, the Sindh government has been attempting to replace Khawaja with an officer of 'its choice'.
