Murtaza Wahab says, there are concrete reasons for sending IG Sindh home

Sindh government spokesperson Barrister Murtaza Wahab revealed on Thursday that Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had apprised Prime Minister Imran Khan about the reservations the provincial cabinet had against Inspector General Kaleem Imam for maintaining his rank.

During a press conference in Karachi, Murtaza Wahab asserted that the chief minister told the premier that the cabinet had no confidence in the IG.

The process of his removal should initiate as the ruling party in Sindh had face criticism.

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), however, stated that the IG could restore in the same rank if the federal government consults the provincial government.

“The [provincial] cabinet achieved consensus that the IG has lost its credibility,” he stated, while complaining that it was argued that a unilateral decision was taken in this matter.

“There are concrete reasons for sending IG Sindh home […] law and order situation has deteriorated over the last year,” he said.

Murtaza Wahab added that people lost their lives in 12 police firing incidents and the crime rate has increased.

The spokesperson further stated that the provincial government would inquire “if anything goes wrong as the police is independent but answerable to the government.”

“All of us are required to follow the Constitution […] five IGs were changed in Punjab and four IGs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” he said, while complaining of no criticism on those decisions.

Mr. Wahab pointed out that whenever the Sindh government inquires (about incidents), the IG claims of “everything alright.”

“Does the Sindh government makes a mistake while asking him? […] no government employee can hold press conference,” he said, adding that police officers have been in hurry for holding pressers.

The Sindh government spokesperson regretted that a “private man” allowed access to a killer of 96 individuals.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has decided to approach the court against the removal/transfer of IG Kaleem Imam.

PM Imran Khan has also telephoned Sindh Governor Imran Ismail to discuss the same matter, and directed him to take all stakeholders into confidence.

Meanwhile, PTI Leader Haleem Adil Sheikh stated that the government stood with the IG and would not allow the Sindh government to do anything illegal.