SC turns down government’s plea seeking new Islamabad IGP

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ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday refused a petition filed by the government seeking permission to appoint a new inspector general of police (IGP) in Islamabad.

Instead, the court suggested the government to appoint a top cop in the capital on an interim basis in light of the current sensitive law and order situation.

Islamabad IGP Jan Mohammad was in Malaysia on ex-Pakistan leave to attend a course. He landed in Pakistan early Thursday. Security DIG Waqar Chohan had been looking after the office of the IGP Islamabad in his absence.

Earlier in the day, the government had approached the SC, requesting the court to hear the plea immediately due to the law and order situation of the country, in particular, Islamabad.

Subsequently, a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar stated hearing the petition.

“Had we not suspended the decision of the IGP’s appointment, what would you do in case the officer is on a visit abroad,” the CJP asked, adding that the government would have to give the charge to someone else.

“Give additional charge to someone else,” CJP Nisar said.