Punjab Chief Secretary Javed Mehmood has been sent on a long leave after hitting Col [retd] Ikram to death and Chairman Planning Division Sami Saeed has been made Additional Chief Secretary, a private TV reported.

Col (Retd) Ikram, a war veteran, had lost his life after the vehicle of the Punjab chief secretary hit his motorbike. A late night meeting headed by Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif decided to send Javed Mehmood on a long leave so that he may not be able to influence the inquiry committee.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Mian Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif visited the residence of Col (retd) Ikram. Later, speaking to newsmen, Nawaz Sharif said: “I have condoled with the bereaved family of the late Col (retd) Ikram and listened to their complaints. Some objections are new to me; it seems they are not satisfied with the investigations. We are currently in the government; therefore, we will do justice irrespective of one’s position or status. We will not let anyone create any hurdle in this regard.” Nawaz Sharif refused to comment on political issues.

Col Muhammad Ikram, also a relative of Commissioner Khusro Pervez, was on his way to Allama Iqbal University sub-campus on a motorcycle when CS Javed Mahmood’s car hit his two-wheeler at Girja Chowk. The chief secretary, along with his motorcade, was returning from Lahore airport after seeing off PM Yousuf Raza Gilani. Col Ikram suffered critical injuries and was rushed to the CMH where he died.
Col Ikram received serious head injuries and was shifted to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) where he succumbed to his injuries. The deceased was registrar at the Punjab University and was also a teacher.

The investigation team, probing into Col (retd) Ikram’s death has declared the chief secretary and his driver innocent. However, the family of the deceased says that the chief secretary had influenced the investigation. According to the investigation team headed by SP CIA Omar Virk, the chief secretary and his driver could not be held responsible for the death of Colonel (Retd) Ikram because their vehicle was going at a normal speed. Col Ikram jumped the light and came in the way of the vehicle. After the accident, the traffic warden and gunmen of the chief secretary shifted the injured colonel to CMH.
On the other hand, expressing their dissatisfaction with the police investigation, the family of the deceased said that they were not included in investigation. Azam Ikram, son of the deceased, alleged that the police were not playing their impartial role. “Justice cannot be served unless the chief secretary is removed from his post,” he said.
Chief Secretary Javed Mehmood proceeded on leave on Sunday. A midnight official announcement said that Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had accepted the leave application of Javed Mehmood. In his application, Mehmood stated that he may be allowed to proceed on leave so that the impression that he was influencing the proceedings of the case may be removed.
Meanwhile, P&D Chairman Sami Saeed has been posted as additional chief secretary and given the additional charge of chief secretary, while Additional Chief Secretary Javed Aslam has been posted as P&D chairman. Sami Saeed is stated to be a close associate of Javed Mahmood and his posting is being described as continuation of Mahmood’s policies.

Nawaz Sharif has decided not to contest the by-polls for NA-123. A consultative meeting of the party elders here on Sunday considered various names for the seat. A meeting of party workers was also convened on Monday to ‘consult’ them on the issue. MNA Hamza Shahbaz, the son of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, will preside over the meeting. PML-N has been seeking delay in the holding of by-polls for the seat vacated by Javed Hashmi who had retained his Multan seat, citing security concerns.

Sources say the party wants to postpone the elections until October because under an agreement reached between the Saudi government and Gen (retired) Pervez Musharraf, Nawaz was under obligation not to contest the elections until then. The PML-N denies the agreement, but the decision of fielding a ‘worker’ instead of Nawaz Sharif in NA-123 suggests otherwise.