Sindh govt sends IG police 'on leave'

E-Paper | April 25, 2026

The Sindh government has sent the top police chief on leave, it emerged Monday

Sindh Inspector General AD Khawaja confirmed he has been sent on 15-day leave while sources said the Sindh government has decided to remove him.

AIG Mushtaq Meher given additional charge.

The sources added that Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah met the IG on Sunday and asked him to go on leave.

The federal government has refused to remove the IG from his position, the sources informed Dawn.

They revealed that the IG's imminent removal is likely due to several issues, including the Pakistan Peoples Party's desire to appoint Rao Anwar as senior superintendent police Malir as well as the subject of police recruitment in the province.

Additional Inspector General Mushtaq Meher has been appointed acting IG Sindh.

AD Khawaja was appointed as IG Sindh Police in March this year after the federal government removed former Sindh IGP Ghulam Hyder Jamali from his post.

Before his appointment as IG, Khawaja had been serving as Additional IG (special branch) and was also a member of an inquiry committee, along with Additional IG (counterterrorism) Dr Sanaullah Abbasi and Additional IG Naeem Shaikh, which was set up to probe illegal appointments.

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Pakistan

Imtiaz Ali is a Karachi-based reporter for Dawn with over 25 years of experience in the field. His reporting portfolio encompasses crime, politics, and the provincial legislature, alongside coverage of the courts, government affairs, and the health sector.

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Ahsan Ali

Dec 19, 2016 01:09pm

Sorry state of govt.

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Javid

Dec 19, 2016 01:12pm

Politicians hate honest officers, and honest workers .

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Masood

Dec 19, 2016 01:23pm

This is the beauty of democracy!!!

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Arshad

Dec 19, 2016 01:25pm

His Crime ? "Honesty" & "Unbiased" action against Criminals !

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Imran

Dec 19, 2016 01:28pm

PPP is infamous for corrupt practices like recruitment of Policemen and other Govt officials devoid of merit. In Police particularly this results in serious consequences. AD Khawja as IGP by trying his best to reform Police, recruit policemen on merit and upholding rule of law in the province was unfortunately committing crime as per PPP books. So here he go and the corrupt politicians again win and continue to exploit common man. Law and order is severely going to be affected when a politically appointed IG takes charge whose prime objective would be to please his political bosses rather than enforcing rule of law and ensuring transparency in the province. RIP Sindh Province.

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Nazir

Dec 19, 2016 01:33pm

So what else is new? Talk of democracy and merit in the land of the pure is a farce, an insult to the peoples intelligence!

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K.T.H.

Dec 19, 2016 01:36pm

@Imran - fully agree with your comments - except for "PPP" read "politicians" and for "Sindh Government" read "provincial governments"

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Masoud

Dec 19, 2016 01:37pm

Unless vital institutions of Pakistan are depoliticized and allowed to run on merit situation will not improve. Police posting of choice is one such negativity. There should be a law made in the parliament to allow asking of reason for removing or force transferring a senior officer in all departments.

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imdadali

Dec 19, 2016 01:41pm

No change was observed in thana culture since posting of A.D Khowoja as provincial police chief. After all, he was good to his predecessor. Federal Govt should interfere into this issue by annoying to sindh govt not to send this to forced leave. Other thing is that Police chief to be posted seniority cum fitness based not favorite proposed by provincial govts. Police set-ups need attention and reforms. If this department is made corruption free almost civil issues could be controlled as this is mother of the entire forces except pak army as local police is in direct contact of area people and well aware from the minds of public. Police station must be granted its due budget, salary to be increased by giving free schooling and health facilities and security to the families of police. Merit to be given top priority then desired results could be achieved but here in our country police is used to settle old scores to opponents by politicians. It must be discouraged.

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Ahmed bin Babar

Dec 19, 2016 01:47pm

Reward for being honest, long live Sindh government...

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kings way

Dec 19, 2016 02:05pm

Looters , cheaters, smugglers, thieves, murderers, and corrupts are there everywhere in this world. A country need a very strong, efficient and dedicated leader to keep these bad elements under check and to take forward the country.

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F Khan

Dec 19, 2016 02:16pm

@KINGS WAY: but if all you named were also your rulers then what to do? the problem is us, WE THE PEOPLE. Until we start voting the right people nothing is going to change.

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ashar

Dec 19, 2016 02:20pm

Democracy ZIndabad

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Dec 19, 2016 02:21pm

What else can they do?

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Khalid Yousafzai (UK)

Dec 19, 2016 02:42pm

what a joke. height of corruption

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pro bono

Dec 19, 2016 02:44pm

Wadera Governance......

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Masoud

Dec 19, 2016 02:49pm

@kings way: Sure but not from the tried & tested lot. Imran Khan is the only hope for a better Pakistan free from all the vices you mentioned. I second your points.

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SAIF Zulfiqar.

Dec 19, 2016 02:51pm

Khawaja was the best IG for Sindh. The reason he is being transferred is that he is honest and liked by the people of Karachi.

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Cricket_Follower

Dec 19, 2016 03:13pm

Is there any Law in this country? It is case of clear corruption and mismanagement of resources and a clear message to the honest government officers. What our courts are doing? Where is Sou Moto?

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Lone ranger

Dec 19, 2016 03:24pm

We miss you Gen. Raheel Shareef!! :(

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GAK Wazir

Dec 19, 2016 03:32pm

Honesty and merit have no value in this blessed country. We need a culture based on intercession, nepotism and below merit recruitments or appointments. This country will make progress by leaps and bounds right from the day when strict rules of merit and integrity are introduced and illegal practices are discouraged.

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SAK

Dec 19, 2016 03:35pm

@Arshad - You ask what his crime is ..? Well action against criminals just can't be forgiven in the Land of the Purely Corrupt.

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SOS

Dec 19, 2016 03:35pm

@Lone ranger In the end he withstood in the same shoes of PMLN and PPP, did nothing, instead endorsed their corruption, what exactly do you miss about him?

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SAK

Dec 19, 2016 03:38pm

@Imran I agree with your analysis. The sad part is that the supporters of PPP - including the literate ones - can stay very quiet as such events unfold. Indeed they must be sitting home preparing garlands for their glorious leader's homecoming - holding their breathe to see some new world records of corrupt practices. Of course as long as it is one of them running it - everything goes.

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Jalbani Baloch

Dec 19, 2016 03:49pm

It is really very sad to note that slowly and gradually, the Government of Pakistan is losing grip on the provinces in the name of provincial autonomy. I am not against the autonomy, but the liberty should be within some limits. The Govt. of Pakistan should reconsolidate and strengthen its position on some key positions, such as appointment of Governors, Chief Secretary, and the IG Police and etc. Further, in line with the consolidation of national spirit and cohesion, the Govt. of Pakistan should establish high-tech Federal Universities offering education in all faculties of science and art. The admission to these universities should be purely based on merit only, BUT not free of cost, so that the universities can generate funds to continue to offer quality education.

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Fareed N

Dec 19, 2016 04:03pm

Give credit to PTI government for making KPK police an independent service, Punjab and Sindh police are subservient to MPAs and other influentials.

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Sajjad

Dec 19, 2016 04:11pm

Who is next? Irfan Baloch?

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Zubair

Dec 19, 2016 04:11pm

As it said , "DEMOCRACY IS THE BEST REVENGE!". There you GO!!!!!!! :)

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HABIB REHMAN

Dec 19, 2016 04:23pm

Mr.Khawaja Must not change,if really change the system of police in sind province.

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Observer

Dec 19, 2016 04:30pm

Adieu NAP!!.Perhaps if Raheel Shareef was here,Sindh would think twice before taking such action

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khanm

Dec 19, 2016 04:36pm

I think the IG police should be selected by the people not by those with whom you could develop the conflict of interest. In a country where police force is basically politicized and used for personal and political reasons.. Let us be clear and remember no one is above the law. Not a politician, not religious figures, not a criminal, not a police officer. We are all accountable for our actions..let me rephrase it ..There are not enough jails, not enough police, not enough courts to enforce a law not supported by the people...

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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan

Dec 19, 2016 04:46pm

Outgoing or incoming almost entire Sindh Police is partisan when it comes to Urban Sindh. People have zero expectation from Sindh and Panjab police anyways as they are treated as Personal security force by PPP and PML-N governments.

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Fareed

Dec 19, 2016 04:54pm

You will never improve policing without stopping political interference in police operational matter. Police Chiefs should have their performance monitored and if they are not delivering against agreed objectives, they should be removed by following a proper process. Not at the whim of a politician. They are servants of the state, not servants of their political masters.

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Zaidi

Dec 19, 2016 04:57pm

I my humble opinion, A. D. Khwaja was the most capable and honest officers in the Police department. He stood against political interference in recruitment of Police Force and considering his bold and courageous stance, it was unfortunately already predicted. If our protest could bring him back, I would wish to protest and bring back the lone light of hope to our beloved City and Province.

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M. Siddique

Dec 19, 2016 05:23pm

Is the Sindh government trying to protect law breakers in its own ranks? It appears so. Sad day for the people of Sindh.

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M. Siddique

Dec 19, 2016 05:25pm

@Masood, Democracy does not teach honesty, that comes from the family environments. If the government is NOT honest that means faith in democracy is dwindling. Democracy provides mechanism for accountability not the other way around.

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asif

Dec 19, 2016 05:41pm

That is how corrupt governments protect themselves. And everyone knows how Sindh is being governed, sorry, I think whole of my country.

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sam

Dec 19, 2016 05:45pm

Goat sacrificed for ATR aircraft departure and IG Sindh sacrificed for Zardari arrival...

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Tariq

Dec 19, 2016 05:42pm

Democracy is the best revenge

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village villa

Dec 19, 2016 05:45pm

I served rural Sind after completing my training in USA. KD Khowaja was loved by fellow villagers for his honesty integrity during 1995 and 1998. I was so excited has was made Police Chief in Sind. Chief Minister Sind Aake American degree of mera door ka salam. It is unbeliveable that you asked such an honest and upright person to go home. I am so very sad. We need many KD Khowajas if we have to improve law and order. May God bless KD Khowaja and his tribe

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Dec 19, 2016 05:49pm

"Sindh government has decided to remove him." Heard the order came from abroad and some powerful lady is involved to whom the respected inspector did not listen to..

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deaf

Dec 19, 2016 05:51pm

Pathetic !!

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yankee

Dec 19, 2016 06:18pm

We need to get rid of Zardari and Nawaz dynasty !

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SYED HASSAN HASEEB

Dec 19, 2016 06:21pm

he was doing something , he tried to speak truth , he was better then others so why keep him.

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Salman Ahmad

Dec 19, 2016 06:23pm

Demo Crazy, This is the beauty of Pakastani Demo Crazy .....

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Salman Ahmad

Dec 19, 2016 06:25pm

Demo Crazy .... This is the version of Pakastani Demo Crazy ....

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Sami

Dec 19, 2016 06:39pm

all loot maar Jungle

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Ahmed Saeed

Dec 19, 2016 06:51pm

The true revenge of democracy

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Ahmed Shaikh

Dec 19, 2016 07:35pm

Corruption & greed, now the only motto of Peoples Party. We all know the performance of Mr. AD Khawaja. His removal will further increase the corruption in the police department and worsen the law & order situation in the Sindh Province. We request the federal government not to remover Mr. AD Khawaja from his post.

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Philosopher(from japan)

Dec 19, 2016 07:59pm

May be he refused to pay for good postings.

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feroze ali abdullah

Dec 19, 2016 08:16pm

what Pakistan lacks today is honest representation, when today's political arena is based on ghetto politics, which can only be mended by larger spectrum of national politics, Parliamentary system for the last seventy years has only encouraged ghetto politics based on caste , culture and creed. Survival of Pakistan can only be made possible through national leadership which can be achieved by Presidential form of government, based on (Percentage) % of votes ( Not number of votes) caste by the people of all the four provinces of Pakistan People can cast their mandate in favor of Presidential form by displaying their approval by wearing GREEN ARMBAND. ( Green Awakening)

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RAUF SHAIKH

Dec 19, 2016 08:22pm

what an action sindh government had taken, where are other institutions? where is suo moto machinery? where are people of Pakistan especially Sindh? unbelievable. they are openly making their to way to corruption and enhance their other bad deeds and we all stockholder are silence. Are all these things happening in today's world?. I have a question that when federal government has authority to appoint IGP of Sindh, then how can Sindh Government forcibly sends IGP on leave? what this situation requires from us, from institutions of Pakistan should seriously be thought.

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Omar

Dec 19, 2016 08:27pm

I don't know about his credentials, but I do know that if someone is at odds with PPP politicians, he must be doing something honorable.

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Salim shah

Dec 19, 2016 09:18pm

Sindh government does not like honest and impartial police officers. The sindhi waderas would never like to give up their control in villages and now in Karachi and other cities. People of Karachi have been hijacked and no one to take care of them. Literally they have been cut off from rest of Pakistan and they do not have theirsay at any forum. This is the time that people of Karachi must begin movement to establish their own province in order to address their issues with their own money.

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Jalaluddin S. Hussain

Dec 19, 2016 09:24pm

Peoples' Party will have to pay a heavy price for promoting a culture of corruption and nepotism.

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SAEED KHAN

Dec 19, 2016 09:26pm

WHY HAS SIND GIVERNMENT REMOVED HIM IS THERE SOME THING TO HIDE CHIEF MINISTER SHOULD EXPLAIN THIS IS A DANGEROUS STEP

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JUSTICE

Dec 19, 2016 09:32pm

Why does Federal Govt appoint Sindh IG? Shouldn't Sindh Government have that responsibility - that is why the police is so corrupt they have to officers in Sindh & than officers in Federal

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Shiriraz

Dec 19, 2016 10:06pm

@Javid Because all Pakistani politicians are corrupt, dishonest and even some are killers with fake degrees.

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abid akbar

Dec 19, 2016 10:43pm

A D Khawaja a very honest and upright officer it was only pressure of honest Gen RS team that he was appointed as IG Sindh, otherwise there is no room for honesty, but regretfully that team has gone for good. I hope Gen Bajwa should interfere and let honest officers retain there post.

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Babar

Dec 19, 2016 10:56pm

PPP and Sindh Government are corrupt to the core!!!! Anwar Rao is a criminal. Fedreral Government must intervene before more corruption takes root!!!

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J.Akram

Dec 19, 2016 11:00pm

No place for honesty shameful

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Zak

Dec 19, 2016 11:01pm

So corrupt all of them. Only PTI can bring in non corrupt people.

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Tarik

Dec 19, 2016 11:29pm

When will the Waderas ways end?

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khan saheb

Dec 20, 2016 03:30am

But we all thought the present CM Sind is honest and honorable, is it due to party pressure he succumbed. Very SAD

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ROSHAN

Dec 20, 2016 06:01am

For Our government , Honesty is not the best policy :(

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Khanzada

Dec 20, 2016 06:23am

Make sayeen qaim ali shah IG police

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Asif A. Shah

Dec 20, 2016 06:56am

The vital institutions of Pakistan should be run be run on merit and be free from improper political influence.

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nasr

Dec 20, 2016 07:50am

Party Power Rules

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taha

Dec 20, 2016 08:17am

bilwal should the new police chief.

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Syed(Australia)

Dec 20, 2016 08:24am

Corrupt Political system need of an hour is to introduce Presidential form of System in the country. Current political system which is based on corruption nepotism and favouritism has completely collapsed this need to be changed sooner or later, better be sooner before we lose our motherland in the hands of these existing politicians.

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Syed

Dec 20, 2016 08:25am

Police be made redundant, honest officers of the police be inducted in Rangers and police duties be shifted to Rangers on permanent basis. We don't need corrupt police.

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Mansoor Ahmed

Dec 20, 2016 09:39am

Another shameful act by PPP Government in Sindh. In their government, it is hard for an honest person to serve. They only need corrupt officers, who serve their wasted interest. Mr. Zardari and Faryal Talpur, can you tell us, how much money you need more. You are among the richest people of Pakistan, even though your appetite for money is keep on increasing.

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Ahmad

Dec 20, 2016 03:02pm

if he is honest officer. why dont dawn starts opinion poll of should he be removed or not

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Something Fishy

Dec 20, 2016 03:10pm

Khayber Paindabad! Doing good job at depoliticing police.

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On lOOKER

Dec 20, 2016 03:33pm

M0re of the same .... all, i mean all institutions have been tamed and country is being run like fiefdom.

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Naeem

Dec 20, 2016 09:44pm

PPP cannot stand a honest police officer. Shame on PPP

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DK PAMNANI

Dec 21, 2016 01:34pm

Punished for Honesty?

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