ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Court on Monday accepted the written apologies submitted by Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar and others in the former Pakpattan DPO Rizwan Gondal transfer case
A bench headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar was hearing a suo motu case pertaining to alleged transfer of the police officer due to political intervention. During the hearing, the court, earlier today, rejected the responses of the chief minister, former IG Punjab Kaleem Imam and others to an inquiry report claiming political intervention in the transfer.
The chief justice expressed anger over the reply submitted by the chief minister, Ahsan Gujjar, who had approached the CM for relocation of the police officer, and former IG Punjab Kaleem Imam on an inquiry report prepared by National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta) chief Maher Khaliq Dad Lak into the matter.
In his response submitted to the Supreme Court, the chief minister stated he had never misused his authority and that he believed in the supremacy of the law. It was further stated that the report of Nacta chief was based on assumptions and could not be relied on.
On October 3, an inquiry report was submitted, stating that Gondal was transferred on the basis of political intervention. It further added that orders for the transfer of the police officer in the middle of the night came from the chief minister’s office.
Advocate General Punjab Ahmad Owais, Ahsan Jamil Gujjar, former IG Punjab Kaleem Imam and Khawar Maneka were present in the hearing.
The chief justice remarked that summon the chief minister tomorrow as the court is not satisfied with the reply. To which the advocate general said that the chief minister had also tendered unconditional apology in the case, adding that they are ready to submit the apology again.
“What kind of language have you and Punjab CM used for excellent officer Khaliq Dad Lak?” Justice Nisar said while addressing the Punjab advocate general.
The chief justice said he could order a joint investigation team to investigate the case. He further noted that the Punjab AG had raised objections of personal nature against the Nacta chief.
“The prime minister has said that Usman Buzdar will continue as the Punjab CM till the PTI rules the country. Let the court make it clear; Buzdar will continue to retain the post only if the court orders the same,” Justice Nisar said.
After the court remarks, the Punjab CM along with Jamil and Imam took back their replies to Lak’s report.
“Is this the government that wants to create naya [new] Pakistan?” the chief justice remarked.
“First you humiliated the DPO and RPO and seek apology,” the top judge remarked, and ordered CM Buzdar, Ahsan Gujjar and former IG Punjab to submit written apology to the court.
Justice Nisar said that the court will take decision after reviewing the written apologies.
DPO Gondal was mysteriously transferred a few months ago after the verbal duel of Pakpattan police with Khawar Maneka while he was crossing a checkpoint in the city.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/headline/dpo-pakpattan-transferred-after-refusing-to-apologize-to-khawar-maneka/
Gondal was reportedly asked to clarify his position on the matter before a civilian, Ahsan Jamil Gujjer who had family terms with Maneka’s. As soon as the media flashed the news about the ‘political transfer’, the top judge took notice of the incident.
