The Sindh government, represented by Advocate General Zamir Ghumro, on Wednesday alleged before the Sindh High Court (SHC) that the petition being heard by the court against the removal of the provincial police chief was filed in collusion by the original petitioner, Inspector General of Police (IGP) A.D. Khawaja and the federal government "to show the provincial government in a bad light".

Barrister Ghumro also argued that the petition was not maintainable, as the SHC did not have jurisdiction to hear the matter.

The AG pleaded that the court vacate its stay order on the transfer of the IGP and asked the court to dismiss the plea against provincial government's decision to remove Khawaja from his post.

Explore: IGP breaks silence on his strained relations with Sindh govt

However, the bench, headed by Justice Munib Akhtar, retained its interim order restricting the government from removing the IGP from his post.

After Ghumro concluded his arguments, the court adjourned the hearing till Thursday.

Civil rights campaigners had earlier approached the SHC for contempt proceedings against the provincial government after it 'surrendered' Khawaja's services to the federal government and instead appointed Additional IG Sardar Abdul Majeed Dasti, a grade-21 officer, as acting IG on April 1.

Read more: It's our prerogative to remove or reinstate anyone: Sindh CM

In the following days, the SHC suspended the provincial government's notification for the removal of IG Khowaja, ordering him to immediately resume his duties as the provincial police chief.

The SHC also suspended Sardar Abdul Majeed Dasti's 'promotion' as acting IGP.

Following the court's orders, Dasti relinquished the charge of acting IGP and vacated the office.