A tussle between the Police Services of Pakistan (PSP) and Provincial Police Services (PPS) came to an end when a committee constituted by Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, regarding the creation of Grade-20 seats for provincial cadres, submitted its report against the move.

Over the past few months a tussle regarding the creation of Grade-20 posts for Provincial Cadre officers was running with the PSP officer as they had resisted and said that there was no rule authorizing the provincial government to create a post of Grade-20. This, they said, was the exclusive prerogative of the federal government.

On the other hand, the Provincial Cadre officers had taken this step when about 25 officers were nominated for PSP Cadre but the process was stopped by the Sindh police and they had refused the list sent by the S&GAD for cadre change of provincial police officers and later they had approached to create a post of Grade-20 for Provincial officers.

Sources said that the Sindh Chief Minister had taken note of the tug-of-war and formed a committee and appointed Secretary, Home, Sindh, Arif Khan, Secretary, Services and Additional Inspector-General of Police, Sindh Akhtar Hussain Memon, to inquire into whether a law existed to create a post of Grade-20 for provincial cadre.

Sources added that, the committee after thorough discussion, had submitted its report to the Chief Minister Office in which they had mentioned that as per Rule there is no provision for a post of Grade-20 for provincial government as it is the authority of Federal government.

Moreover, a show-cause copy of SSP Mohammed Malik which was issued by the Secretary, Interior, Syed Kamal Shah, when SSP Malik was the Deputy-Director, FIA, was also sent to the Home Department. In the show-cause notice SSP Malik was told to file the answer within 15 days but before that SSP Malik got his transfer from FIA in Police Services, source said.

The facts of the show-cause states that, “whereas you, Muhammad Malik, Additional Director/FIA Passport Circle, Karachi are accused of misconduct rising of the following acts: The district & Session judge Malik, Karachi, informed the Deputy-Director/Law. Zonal office, Karachi, that when he visited the court on February 21, 2007 in cases register; against Afghan Hajj pilgrims and tour operators, number of accused were granted bail due to non-production of record by the investigating Officer despite allowing sufficient time for the purpose and the Prosecutors just argued the case with any record/case file.

Non-production of the record by the inquiry officer in the court, due to which the accused individuals and members of organized criminal groups managed their bails from the court cases of national interest, clearly refuels lack of supervision and interest.

The Director, FIA Karachi Zone vide his D.O No. DKZ-84/2007/PA dated 22.2.2007 reported that when he enquired from SSP Malik about reasons or laxity on the part of the officers of the passport Circle which resulted in bails to a number of accused Mr. Malik expressed his ignorance. Thus the Director, Karachi Zone, called for his explanation in writing.