Islamabad IGP spoke twice with Azam Swati before transfer: sources

ISLAMABAD: Inspector General Police (IGP) Islamabad Jan Muhammad spoke twice with Federal Minister Senator Azam Swati before his transfer, sources revealed on Tuesday.

The details regarding the phone conversations which took place on Thursday and Friday (October 25 and 26) emerged when Geo News spoke with people close to the IGP and sources in the police department. It was further revealed that, after the conversations, SSP Islamabad on the directives of IGP Muhammad met Swati at his residence.

IGP Muhammad was transferred on October 27 after he allegedly refused to take action on a complaint by Swati’s son regarding an incident at their farmhouse. The minister said he had tried to reach the police officer several times over the incident and after failing to do so messaged Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The Supreme Court took suo motu notice of the transfer of Islamabad IGP. During proceedings on Monday, Attorney General Anwar Mansoor informed the apex court that the transfer was made on the verbal orders of the prime minister. 

Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar has suspended the transfer order and sought a statement from the federal government over the issue.

Earlier on Tuesday, Federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry spoke about the transfer, informing reporters that IGPs were answerable to the prime minister and chief ministers. Chaudhry also questioned the point of elections if the prime minister could not suspend a police chief.

Meanwhile, a judicial magistrate in Islamabad granted bail to suspects in the case by Swati’s son following a truce between the two parties. Speaking to the media after the release of the suspects, the federal minister’s son, Usman, said, “Azam Swati has nothing to do with this matter.”