LAHORE: The PML-N has submitted a resolution to the Punjab Assembly criticising the PTI Punjab government for removing the Pakpattan district police office (DPO) for yet another time as the official did not extend ‘extra-protocol’ to the family of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s wife Bushra Maneka.

The Buzdar administration on Friday made DPO Abadit Nisar officer on special duty (OSD). This is for the third time the Pakpattan DPO was changed during the one-year tenure of the PTI government.

PML-N lawmaker Kanwal Liaquat filed the resolution in the Punjab Assembly on Saturday. It said DPO Nisar was removed for not giving extra protocol and VIP passes to the Maneka family on the occasion of annual Urs of Baba Farid Ganj Shakar. “This is unfortunate that top police officials are removed on political grounds and in this case on the direct intervention of the family of the first lady,” the resolution said, adding that was a shameful act and this house condemned it and demanded that the government ensure rule of law.

Officials said Mr Nisar has been made OSD in the wake of poor security arrangements at the shrine.

“The action against the DPO was taken by IGP retired Capt Arif Nawaz Khan on the reports of the Sahiwal RPO after he declared it a result of lack of supervisory role,” a source said, adding the first lady’s family was also not happy with him over the Urs arrangements.

Earlier, the transfer of DPO Pakpattan Rizwan Gondal under “political pressure” made headlines. An investigation was launched on the direction of the apex court in this matter in which Mr Gondal was sacked for “refusing to tender an apology to Khawar Fareed Maneka, the former husband of first lady Bushra Bibi, for alleged misconduct of his subordinates with their daughter.”

The DPO was asked by Chief Minister Usman Buzdar to personally visit the Dera of Mr Maneka to tender the apology. On his refusal, CM Buzdar reportedly directed the IGP to remove Mr Gondal from his post. Subsequently, the apex court had asked Buzdar to refrain from taking dictation and being the chief executive of the big province should run the affairs in accordance with law as there is democracy in the country and not monarchy.

Published in Dawn, September 15th, 2019