News Analysis |
In a much-awaited report, the former Punjab IGP, Dr. Kaleem Imam has categorically rejected the claims that the transfer of then-DPO, Rizwan Gondal, was politically motivated. Dr. Imam submitted an inquiry report of Pakpattan incident to the Supreme Court on Wednesday. In the inquiry report, Mr. Imam maintained that there was no political intervention in the case. According to the inquiry report, Gondal was summoned by Punjab Chief Minister, Usman Buzdar, without taking the Police Chief in the loop at 10 pm.
The call was made by the CM Punjab, however, not as a boss but as an “elder”, the report adds. Interestingly, the report has rejected the claims made by DPO Gondal, which stated that he was being pressured to visit the Dera of Khawar Maneka to apologize to him. The DPO himself felt so, the report says, otherwise, nobody said this to the DPO.
The top judge issued notices to IGP Dr. Kaleem Imam, additional IGP, inquiry officer Abubakar Khuda Baksh, Sahiwal RPO, and Gondal to appear in the Supreme Court on the 31st of August, along with the inquiry report.
As a matter of fact, if the report has been written in the way it has been reported in the media, it is going to an interesting scene in the SC. Some people on Facebook and other social media sites have termed the report as a funny and expected one.
Background of the Case
The DPO of Pakpattan, Mr. Rizwan Gondal, has been immediately transferred and made Officer on Special Duty (OSD) for allegedly stopping Khawar Maneka, ex-husband of Bushra Maneka. On August 23, it was reported that a police team led by DPO Rizwan Omar Gondal briefly intercepted Khawar’s car after he didn’t stop when signaled by the police to do so. Khawar was also believed to have misbehaved with the officials.
Read more: CJP takes notices of DPO Rizwan Gondal’s removal
The officer was later directed to visit Maneka Dera, Khawar’s residence, and tender an apology to him for intercepting the vehicle. According to media reports, the DPO told a meeting, called by Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, that the police department had only fulfilled its duties and that he will not apologize to Khawar. Shortly after, the officer was transferred and asked to report to the Central Police Office (CPO) in Lahore.
CJP took notice of DPO Rizwan Gondal’s Removal
The Chief Justice of Pakistan took the notice of “Pakpattan incident”, in which DPO Rizwan Gondal was transferred and made OSD. The top judge issued notices to IGP Dr. Kaleem Imam, additional IGP, inquiry officer Abubakar Khuda Baksh, Sahiwal RPO, and Gondal to appear in the Supreme Court on the 31st of August, along with the inquiry report. Then the CJP directed the IGP to conduct an inquiry into the matter and present a compresence report before the court. The top judge also apologized to Khawar Maneka after he told the judge that his daughter was allegedly manhandled by the police officers and that nobody took the appropriate measures to act against those responsible for the violation of the law.
The Matter raises Eyebrows
Since the case has become a high-profile one, the nation is hoping for justice and sanity to prevail. But this case has raised many questions with regard to the moto of the PTI and its vision about de-politicization of police. PM Imran Khan has many assured the nation to strengthen the institution of police so that nobody becomes a victim of the abuse of authority in any way.
The CJP is expected to look into all aspects of the matter so that justice and better sense prevail instead of political influence and undue interferences of powerful elites.
Analysts raise many important questions, in this case, like, why did CM Punjab invite Mr. Rizwan Gondar at 10:00 pm? Why was the DPO transferred after meeting with the CM Punjab? Who is Ahsan Gujar? How did he speak to a DPO before the CM? Was IG informed about the meeting? What is the significance of PM’s notice? Did he take it seriously? Who reported him? What were the findings? The IG police have already taken a position against the DPO, but how will he investigate the matter? The Punjab government is seemingly involved in the transfer, how will it let the police investigate the matter independently? Did the CJP not know this? Was the CJP now giving an escaping way to the former IG and Punjab government? What will be the fate of Rizwan Gondal and many other officers like him across the country?
Read more: Why DPO Gondal had to be transferred at 1 am: asks…
Now, all eyes are on the SC where the CJP is to resume the hearing of the case. The CJP is expected to look into all aspects of the matter so that justice and better sense prevail instead of political influence and undue interferences of powerful elites.