ISLAMABAD, Dec 15 (FD): The Supreme Court on Thursday barred the provincial governments from making illegal transfer and postings of police officers.
An apex court bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial, issued the order while hearing a case about alleged political interference in transfers and postings of officers in the Punjab police. It ruled that all postings should be made in line with the Police Order 2002.
The chief justice remarked that the IGP was changed every eight months and stressed that reasons must be mentioned for premature relocation of a police officer. The apex court also sought a 10-year report on reshuffling in the Punjab police and also directed other provincial governments to submit their reports. The CJP said a CPO or DPO level officer, as per the law, should not be removed before three years. He also said premature postings and transfers could be undertaken through a set procedure mentioned in the law.
The chief justice also called for discouraging political interference in the police departments. “There is an impression that governments use the police as a political weapon,” he remarked. He commented that a case related to assassination attempt on Imran Khan was delayed owing to political interference. He said the apex court had to issue an order for registration of the case.
During the hearing, the additional advocate general told the court that the transfers and postings were being made in police after due consultation. Later, the Supreme Court adjourned the hearing till second week of January 2023.
