KARACHI: Centre has informed the Sindh government that it needs the services of the Karachi police chief — Additional Inspector General Ghulam Nabi Memon — for an assignment in the federal government, according to sources privy to this development and official communication seen by Dawn.

“Services of Mr Ghulam Nabi Memon (PSP/BS-21) are required by the Establishment Division for assignment in the Federal Govt.,” reads a letter written by the Establishment Division to the chief secretary of Sindh.

The letter contends that it would be “beneficial” for the officer as for promotion to BS-22, attributes of “diverse experience” and well-rotated service are considered to be “important benchmarks”. “Therefore, considering the officer’s extensive tenure in Govt. of Sindh, his promotion aspects may get affected.”

The letter points out that recently, the Establishment Division has promoted Police Service of Pakistan (PSP) officers and there is one BS-21 officer over and above the number of vacancies in the Sindh government.

Establishment Division writes to chief secretary of Sindh

“In order to adjust the recently promoted PSP officers, a BS-21 PSP officer needs to be transferred out of Sindh,” it says. Therefore, the Centre intends to utilise the services of Mr Memon in the federal government.

Services of Mr Memon were placed at the disposal of the Sindh government on April 22, 2019 while he was serving in the Intelligence Bureau. Prior to this, he had also served in Pakistan High Commission in the UK for three years.

The letter recalls that in the past Mr Memon had served in Sindh for about 16 years.

For seeking services of the Karachi police chief, the Establishment Division also refers to a recently adopted rotation policy of officers.

It states in its letter that Rotation Policy 2020 envisages that a BS-21 officer can be transferred from any government and posted at any other government “keeping in view the exigency of governance”. Therefore, the Establishment Division transfers PSP officers from one government to the other so as to equip them with diverse experience and to ensure equitable distribution among all federating units.

Published in Dawn, March 21st, 2021