The Lahore High Court (LHC) declared Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Rao Sardar Ali Khan’s appointment legal on Wednesday, dismissing a petition seeking his removal from the position due to his status as a grade-21 officer.
Justice Muzammil Akhtar Shabbir issued an 11-page written verdict affirming IGP Rao Sardar Ali Khan’s appointment.
“Police Order makes no mention of a police officer’s grade when appointing him as IGP,” the verdict states.
“The law makes no provision for the appointment of a grade-22 officer to the position of IGP,” it continues.
“There is no justification for the IGP’s removal based on his status as a grade-21 police officer. “On the recommendation of the federal government, one of the three senior police officers may be appointed,” it decreed.
“No disagreement between the federal and provincial governments regarding the appointment of the IGP has been established,” it asserts.
It is worth noting at this point that Deputy Attorney General Asad Ali Bajwa opposed the petition seeking the IGP’s removal from office.
