Sindh governor meets new IGP Mushtaq Mehar to 'discuss role of police'

KARACHI: Sindh Governor Imran Ismail met newly-appointed provincial Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mushtaq Mehar on Wednesday.

The two discussed peace and stability in Sindh and the role of police, among various other matters, Ismail's spokesperson said. 

The governor said improvements should be made in the province's policing system.

Ismail also directed Mehar to take action indiscriminately in order to eradicate crime in Sindh. The federal government's top priority was to ensure long-lasting peace and stability, he added.

Also read: Saeed Ghani says federal govt trying to impose decision on province

The governor further noted that implementation on development projects was directly tied to peace and stability.

Kaleem Imam assumes charge as IG NH&MP

On the other hand, former Sindh IGP Dr Syed Kaleem Imam took up his new charge as the Inspector-General of National Highways & Motorway Police (NH&MP) earlier today.

Afterwards, Dr Imam met Communications Minister Murad Saeed in Islamabad where the two had a detailed discussion on professional matters and bilateral issues.

"I hope Kaleem Imam will introduce new dimensions into motorway police," Saeed said, extending well wishes to the new IG NH&MP.

Weeks-long tensions

Mehar's appointment as the Sindh IGP came after weeks-long tensions between the provincial and federal governments, as well as some police officials' infighting.

On January 15, the provincial cabinet had requested the federal governments to remove former IGP Dr Kaleem Imam over unsatisfactory performance. A few days later, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah sent a formal request to Prime Minister Imran Khan over the matter.

Read more: Mushtaq Mehar to take charge as Sindh IGP

Then, on January 27, the PTI-led government reportedly reached a consensus with the provincial leadership on Mehar's appointment but in February, Sindh Information Minister Saeed Ghani alleged that the Centre was trying to impose its decision.

"The provincial government would never accept such a move," Ghani had said at the time, adding that PM Imran Khan had agreed during a December 2019 meeting with CM Shah to replace incumbent Dr Imam.

Hope Mehar 'keeps aside political associations'

After Mehar's appointment as the province's top cop, SAPM Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan had said the decision was "made after consultations with the province's governor and the Sindh government's demand".

"We hope that the new IG keeps aside any political associations to work on ensuring that peace prevails and crime is eradicated in Sindh,"  the premier's aide added.