ISLAMABAD - In line with the orders of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), IGP Islamabad Akbar Nasir Khan and Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Irfan Nawaz Memon have been removed from their respective posts with immediate effect.
Meanwhile, President Dr Arif Alvi approved the removal of Ahad Khan Cheema from his post of Advisor to Prime Minister for Establishment.
It is pertinent to mention here that then-DIG (grade-20) Nasir was appointed as the top cop in the federal capital in May 2022, by the former Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)-led coalition government.
In October, the ECP had asked the interior ministry to transfer the officers after different political parties filed complaints against them fearing they may influence the outcome of the upcoming elections.
In November, the interior ministry asked the Establishment Division to transfer the Islamabad IG and the deputy commissioner without further delay in light of the directives issued by the ECP. However, the division turned a deaf ear towards the directives.
Last week, the ECP had summoned the Establishment Division secretary, seeking an explanation for not removing the officers. The ECP directed the secretary to appear before it on December 26.
In a bid to avoid any departmental action or punishment, the authorities removed the officers from their posts just a day before the Establishment Division secretary was to appear before the electoral watchdog. Earlier, Chief Election Commissioner Sikandar Sultan Raja had warned the government officials of strict action if they neglect their duties in the election process and show “political bias”, saying free, fair, and impartial conduct of elections is essential for a thriving democracy. “There will be no tolerance for any form of political bias among government employees, and immediate action will be taken if such complaints arise,” the CEC had warned. On the instructions of the Election Commission of Pakistan, the caretaker prime minister had sent the summary to the President for the removal of Ahad Cheema from his post. The President approved the removal of Ahad Cheema on the advice of the prime minister under Article 48 of the Constitution. Earlier, the ECP had also removed cabinet members from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s interim cabinet due to allegations that they were involved in political activities.