The SIndh High Court passed a judgement taking powers away from the chief minister and giving them to the inspector general to prevent political interference in the police.The key point in the judgement is that every inspector general of police will now have to complete their tenure and the CM will not be able to dismiss or transfer them. If a transfer has to be made, the principle set in the Anita Turab case will have to be followed.
The court issued a 38-page decision based on a petition filed by members of the civil society. The judgement also said that appointments to key posts such as DIGs will be made through consultations between the IG and the CM. In case of a disagreement, the IG will forward three names to the CM.The decision makes room to appoint experts for assistance in particular cases but clarifies that the expert will not be allowed to intervene in the IGs affairs. The court also said that the CM’s approval will not be needed for establishing regions and divisions across the province.
The court also observed that the meetings of Public Safety Commission to assess the police’s performance have not been taking place regualrly.The judgement also made strong remarks about the bureaucracy’s willingness to get caught up in politics, saying that officers do this to further their own interests. The decision added that such officers leave themselves at the will of politicians.However, the judgement added that there was still ‘hope’ for improvement.
