–Court orders copy of report be sent to Punjab CM Buzdar, former Punjab IG Kaleem Imam, seeks reply from Buzdar within three days
–Report says Khawar Maneka’s friend Ahsan Gujjar ‘behaved in a humiliating manner’ while ex-Punjab IG Imam ‘acted like a rubber stamp’
ISLAMABAD: National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) chief Maher Khaliq Dad Lak on Wednesday submitted an inquiry report in the Supreme Court (SC) that stated that former Pakpattan District Police Officer (DPO) Rizwan Gondal was transferred was politically influenced.
A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar heard a suo motu notice of the former DPO’s transfer following an alleged altercation with Khawar Maneka — the former husband of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Bibi.
As the hearing began, the NACTA chief submitted the report that stated that during the meeting at Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar’s office, Khawar Maneka’s friend Ahsan Jameel Gujjar behaved in a humiliating manner and former Punjab Inspector General Kaleem Imam “played the role of a rubber stamp”.
Following this, the CJP said, “Why don’t we take up a case against Ahsan Gujjar in the anti-terrorism court.”
“Today, Ahsan Jameel Gujjar is issuing apologies and a day earlier his tone was different,” Justice Nisar added.
The court then ordered that a copy of the report is sent to Punjab CM Buzdar and former Punjab IG Kaleem Imam. Further, the court summoned a reply from the Punjab CM on the report within three days.
Last month, the chief justice rejected an inquiry report submitted by former Punjab IG Kaleem Imam and directed Khaliq Dad Lak to conduct the inquiry into the matter.
The report comprising more than 27 pages contains statements of Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, Ahsan Jameel Iqbal Gujjar (a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader from Gujranwala and close friend of Khawar Maneka), CM’s personal staff officer (PSO) Umar, Chief Security Officer (CSO) Haider Ali, Khawar Maneka, his son, daughter and police officers.
The inquiry of Additional Inspector General (AIG) Investigation Abu Bakar Khuda Baksh and affidavits of the former Pakpattan DPO and Sahiwal Regional Police Officer (RPO) have also been made a part of the report.
Earlier, former Pakpattan DPO Gondal submitted his written reply before the inquiry committee averring he hadn’t committed any offence.
As per reply submitted by Gondal, Punjab CM Buzdar called a meeting at CM House soon after the altercation. The reply states that an irrelevant person was also present in the meeting who posed extraneous questions.
The reply also revealed Gondal indulged in a verbal spat with the RPO during the same meeting.
Sources stated Gondal was immensely pressurised by officials to visit Maneka’s Dera (village outhouse) and apologise to him. During the same huddle, the decision was taken to transfer Gondal as he had refused to tender an apology. Gondal asserted that the Maneka family had hurled expletives at police officials.
On the very next day, personal secretary of Punjab CM telephoned DPO to relinquish charge. After 20 minutes, DIG Headquarters released a notification directing Gondal to relinquish charge as the Pakpattan DPO with immediate effect.
Justice Nisar had taken suo motu notice of the transfer.
Last month, reports of Gondal’s transfer sparked controversy as speculation suggested that the police officer was transferred because of the August 23 altercation between police and Khawar Maneka.
According to reports, police personnel under Gondal’s watch tried to stop Maneka at a checkpoint for speeding but he did not stop. The police then chased his vehicle and managed to intercept him.
Then Punjab IGP, Imam, soon after the reports, denied that Gondal was transferred under any pressure and said it was done due to his giving misleading statements about misbehaviour by police personnel with a citizen.
