GUJRAT, Nov 17: The reconciliatory efforts by Federal Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar to settle the issue between Punjab Advocate General Khwaja Haris and transferred DPO Tahir Alam Khan could not bear fruit so far.

Sources told Dawn that the Punjab AG had sought a written apology from Tahir Alam which was not acceptable to him.

Tahir Alam Khan was removed by the Punjab government from the office of Gujrat DPO on Nov 8 following a fiasco between him and Mr Haris in Lahore.

Though Tahir Alam Khan had relinquished the charge on Nov 10 and SP (headquarters) Afzaal Kausar assumed the office of the acting DPO the same day, efforts by some PPP local leaders continued to get the transfer orders of Tahir Alam cancelled.

Sources said the defence minister had talked to the Punjab chief minister about a week ago to get the transfer of Alam Khan cancelled.

Shahbaz Sharif had told Mr Mukhtar that he would cancel transfer orders, if Khwaja Haris was satisfied. In the meantime, the CM directed the Punjab IG not to appoint the new DPO for the next few days. As a result the Gujrat police are still being headed by the SP (headquarters).

Meanwhile, Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar called on Khwaja Haris at his office on Saturday last and asked him to forgive Tahir Alam but, according to the sources, the AG asked for a written apology from Tahir Alam which was not acceptable to the transferred DPO.

Sources said a deposed judge of Supreme Court had also approached Khwaja Haris for the reconciliation but to no avail.

PML-N sources said party’s district chapter had asked the chief minister to remove Tahir Alam Khan from the office of Gujrat DPO as the party was not satisfied with his performance because of his leanings towards PPP.

“Now Tahir’s transfer has become a matter of political superiority between the coalition partners,” a source said.

Those trying to get the transfer of Tahir Alam cancelled, did not lose hope and are exerting pressure on Mr Haris for reconciliation.