The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has decided to seek the transfer of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Zulfiqar Hameed and has sent a panel of three senior police officers to the federal government for the appointment of his successor, sources said.
According to sources, the panel received by the Establishment Division includes Muhammad Ali Babakhel, Saeed Khan Wazir and Abbas Ahsan.
Sources said the provincial government has formally approached the federal government regarding the transfer of the incumbent IG. The Establishment Division will review the proposed panel before preparing a summary for approval by the Prime Minister’s Office.
If approved by the prime minister, Zulfiqar Hameed will be transferred and a new IG will be appointed from among the officers included in the panel.
Sources said the change could take place within the next few days after the prime minister’s approval, following which the Establishment Division will issue formal notifications regarding the transfer and appointment.
A close adviser to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that differences had emerged between the provincial government and IG Zulfiqar Hameed.
According to the adviser, instructions issued by the chief minister regarding the appointment and transfer of police officers, as well as other administrative matters, were not being implemented under the current IG.
The adviser said this was one of the reasons the provincial government was seeking a change in the police leadership. He said the provincial government was making efforts to have Saeed Khan Wazir appointed as the next IG of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to the adviser, Saeed Khan Wazir had previously served as Inspector General of Police in Gilgit-Baltistan during the PTI government and had performed well during his tenure. The adviser said Saeed Khan Wazir was among the provincial government’s preferred candidates, but stressed that the final decision would rest with the prime minister and the federal government.
Sources said all three officers included in the panel are senior police officials and the federal government would select one of them after reviewing their credentials.
Under the existing arrangement, the appointment of the IG of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa falls within the federal government’s authority, while the provincial government can recommend suitable officers for consideration.
The final appointment will be made with the prime minister’s approval, after which the Establishment Division will issue separate notifications for the transfer of the incumbent IG and appointment of his successor.
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