ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Friday questioned the 'timing' of the transfer of Pakpattan District Police Officer Rizwan Gondal and summoned the former husband of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s wife, Khawar Maneka, on September 3 (Monday).
A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar was hearing a suo motu notice of the DPO's transfer following an alleged altercation with Maneka.
As the hearing got under way, Justice Nisar observed, "What is this case? For the past five days, the whole nation has been discussing it."
During the hearing, DPO Gondal told the bench that he sent a WhatsApp message to IG Punjab detailing the events of the incident.
"On the day of the incident, I received a phone call instructing me to reach CM House by 10pm," he was quoted as saying.
"When I reached there, the Punjab CM introduced Ahsan Jameel as his brother," Gondal said.
"Ahsan Jameel asked me about the Maneka family and said there seems to be a conspiracy against them," Gondal told the court, adding that at 12:30am the RPO was informed about his transfer.
"Why was the DPO asked to visit Maneka's house to apologise and why was he transferred at 1am?" Justice Nisar questioned.
Justice Ijazul Ahsan remarked, "We will not tolerate political interference or influence."
The CJP observed, "We will see how transfers are made through exerting pressure."
"I keep repeating this, we want an independent police force," he remarked, adding, "We can use Article 62(1)(f). If the transfer was made on the request of the chief minister or the person sitting next to him then this is not right."
The chief justice also inquired where Ahsan Jameel Gujjar and Khawar Maneka were.
The bench then ordered Khawar Maneka and Ahsan Jameel to appear before it by 4pm today. However, later it asked them to appear before the court on Monday instead.
The court also summoned Ibrahim Maneka, Ahsan Jameel, DIG Shehzada Sultan and Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar's personal secretary, as well as his chief security officer for the hearing on Monday.
IG Punjab has been directed to ensure their presence.
The court also directed Pakpattan DPO Rizwan Gondal and the RPO to submit affidavits.
The hearing of the case was then adjourned till September 3 (Monday).
