Jan Muhammad resumes charge as Islamabad IGP

ISLAMABAD: Jan Muhammad resumed charge as Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) as he returned from Malaysia on Thursday.

Muhammad, who was on leave to attend a course in Kuala Lumpur and whose notification of transfer had earlier been suspended by the Supreme Court, reviewed the security situation in the federal capital as he resumed charged of his post.

The Interior Ministry had asked Muhammad to return to the country immediately, according to sources.

Earlier today, the federal government filed a plea in the Supreme Court seeking the the appointment of a new Islamabad inspector general of police (IGP) in light of the current security situation as protests are taking place across the country following the top court’s verdict acquitting Asia Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death over blasphemy allegations.

However, the chief justice rejected the government's plea.

“Instead of appointing a new IGP, give an additional charge to someone else," Justice Nisar said and asked, "Had we not suspended the decision of the IGP's appointment, what would you have done?"

IGP Muhammad was transferred on October 27 after he allegedly refused to take action on a complaint by Federal Minister Azam 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 had taken suo motu notice of the matter and suspended the notification regarding the Islamabad IGP's transfer.