Buzdar directed to follow laws instead of seeking dictation
RECORDER REPORT
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Monday directed Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar to be careful in future and follow the laws instead of seeking dictation.
The court dismissed the report of former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab, Kaleem Imam, regarding the role of ex-DPO in the incidents and termed it mala fide.
“We don’t accept IGP inquiry report and are not convinced that it was honest and upright inquiry.”
The ex-IGP lost the opportunity and the court would pass strictures against him. However in the order, the Chief Justice restrained from taking any action against Kaleem Imam. National Coordinator NACTA Mehar Khalid Dad was ordered to investigate the matter and submit its report within 15 days. The Chief Justice said if it is proved in the inquiry report that ex-IGP Punjab Kaleem Imam had tried to save someone then they would take action against him.
Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar was heading the three-judge bench which heard suo moto case on transfer of DPO Pakpattan.
The Chief Justice holding the book of Constitution of Pakistan in hand said it is a sacred document for them [judges]. He asked Acting Advocate General, Punjab, Shah Gul to tell the CM that there is Article 62(1)(2) in the Constitution, which could be invoked [against the public officer holder] if dishonesty is proved.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the IGP inquiry report, the court summoned the Punjab Chief Minister. As the CM was in Islamabad on account of President’s address to the joint sitting of the Parliament, therefore he appeared before the bench in half an hour. The Chief Justice inquired from CM Usman Buzdar why he called the RPO, Sahiwal, and ex-DPO Rizwan Gondal in the CM House. He further asked who Ahsan Jameel Gujjar is and why he was present in the meeting. The CJP further asked why Gujjar said in that meeting that he was guardian of Khawar Maneka’s children.
The Punjab CM said: “Maneka family had some issues with the police; therefore, he summoned IGP, but I was informed that the IGP is in Islamabad therefore I called RPO and DPO in my office.” The CM claimed it was not an official meeting and both the police officers were treated with respect and as per his tradition of hospitality.
AAG Shan Gul stated that the chief minister was new to his office. Being a chief executive of the province, he called the two officers more as an elder and, according to his traditions, in an attempt to address fears of the Maneka family.
The Chief Justice said that he has no right to insult the police officers. The Chief Justice asked the CM why Gujjar was allowed to sit in the meeting and why he was dealing with the RPO and DPO.
The RPO Sahiwal supported the version of Rizwan Gondal that he was asked to meet Maneka family at their residence. The RPO said that the DPO had informed the CM about the two incidents, but the police were not involved in any conspiracy. The controversy had arisen when on August 6, 2018 Pakpattan police misbehaved with Maneka’s daughter as she was going to shrine by foot.
The next incident took place on August 24 when the police tried to stop Maneka’s car as he was traveling towards Pir Ghani. Maneka allegedly refused to stop on the policemen’s request and misbehaved with them. Later, Maneka demanded that the DPO should visit his residence to personally apologize to him. But Gondal refused and was subsequently transferred. The Punjab police later clarified that the DPO was transferred for displaying conduct unbecoming of a police officer and misreporting facts.
Kaleem Imam informed the court that he had prepared the report after getting the version of police officers and there is no mala fide on his behalf. The Chief Justice told him, “You have missed the chance as how the DPO was responsible for the incidents and why at 01:00am the notification for the transfer was issued.”
The ex-IGP Punjab apologized and threw himself at the mercy of the court. Ahsan Jameel Gujjar also apologized and said: “I am very sorry.”
The case was adjourned for two weeks.
