Sindh Energy Minister Imtiaz Shaikh runs crime wing, influences police hiring: report
Shaikh denied the charges, saying the allegations levelled against him were based on personal enmity
KARACHI: Police have accused Sindh EnergyMinister Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh of being a leader of a group of criminals, a new report released Thursday said.
According to the report, the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leaderuses criminal wing to suppress and intimidate his rivals and had had a political opponent's son killed as well.
The provincial minister gives refuge to criminals in guest houses, farmhouses, hotels, and pumps, it added.
The report further noted that call records ofShaikh, his brother, and his son speaking with criminals existed and had been obtained. The minister and Attu Sheikh, a dacoit, had contact multiple times, it added.
He was also involved in a facilitating a dacoity, the report said.
In addition, the report claimed that Shaikh has people of his choice hired in top police posts. However, sting operations — after the emergence of incriminating information — failed.
Shaikh, however, has denied the charges, saying the allegations levelled against him were based on personal enmity.
Read more: Sindh cabinet recommends removal of IGP Kaleem Imam
During the tenure of thesenior superintendent of police (SSP) for Shikarpur, Rizwan Shaikh, crimes were on the rise, he said, adding that the official was transferred after his complaint.
The report of allegations comes amid fiasco surrounding another top police officer,Inspector General (IG) of Police for Sindh, Dr Kaleem Imam, whom the Sindh cabinet recommended earlier this week be removed over unsatisfactory performance.
In this regard, Sindh Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani had told media thatseveral unlawful acts took place during Dr Kaleem Imam'stenure as the IGP. Kidnappings, fake encounters, and wrong arrests took placein the past, he said, adding that "at several occasions, IG Sindh Kaleem gave irresponsible statements.”
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