Police report denies political interference in Pakpattan DPO’s transfer

ISLAMABAD: A report prepared by the former inspector general of Punjab Police has denied political interference in the transfer of former Pakpattan DPO Rizwan Gondal after the Khawar Maneka controversy.

According to the report prepared by Syed Kaleem Imam, Maneka’s friend Ahsan Iqbal Jameel did not pressurise the police in the investigation surrounding the transfer of Gondal.

It stated that Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar summoned Gondal and the Sahiwal RPO without notifying Imam, who was then IG Punjab. It added that Jameel came to the chief minister’s office upon request, and narrated the incident which took place between Maneka’s children and Gondal. He complained that police personnel had grabbed the hand of Maneka’s daughter and also pushed her, adding that the incident had left the children distraught.

The report said that Gondal made clear in the meeting that he would not succumb to the requests and apologise to the Manekas. It stated that the CM did not interrupt the conversation and later directed RPO Sahiwal to try and resolve the issue.

According to the report, the point of holding the meeting in the presence of Punjab CM was to outline the gravity of the situation to the police officials. The CM had sought police officers to act as ‘elders’ to resolve the incident in line with tribal traditions.

Imam’s investigation report further stated that although rumors soared that Gondal felt pressured, he himself did not say this. The report said it was clear that Jameel did not pressurise the police and was present as a complainant.

The CM did not issue an order, written or otherwise. It added that since the CM asked the RPO to resolve the matter, it proves he did not interfere in the police’s matters.

Recommendations in the report said that no police officer should tend to the CM office or the office of any minister – not falling within their chain of command – without the express permission of the provincial IG. The report advised CM Buzdar to not summon any police officer directly and if there is a complaint, he must approach the prescribed forum.

The controversy sparked when the chief minister allegedly ordered the transfer of DPO Gondal on the complaint of Maneka, the former husband of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s wife Bushra.

The SC later took notice of the incident.