Lahore: A senior Pakistani police officer was shifted after he refused to tender an apology to the former husband of Prime Minister Imran Khan's third wife Bushra Bibi for stopping him at a blockade.

The Punjab government on Monday removed District Police Officer (Pakpattan) Rizwan Omar Gondal from his post and ordered him to report to the central police office in Lahore after he refused to apologise to Khawar Manika, ex-husband of Bushra Bibi.

A senior police officer said Khawar Manika was coming from Lahore to Pakpattan (175 km from Lahore) when he was stopped at a picket at 1am on August 23.

"Manika didn't stop his car when police signalled him at the picket.

"Police chased his car and intercepted it a few kilometres away. Khawar Manika hurled abuses at police officials for not letting him go despite his introduction."

The official said DPO Gondal was summoned by newly-elected chief minister Usman Buzdar on Friday.

"The chief minister told the DPO that Manika has complained that police officials had misbehaved with him therefore he should apologise. Gondal, however, refused to apologise saying he didn't do anything wrong. On this the chief minister ordered his removal," the officer said, adding that Gondal has been removed on the direction of Imran Khan.

The PML-N has criticised Imran Khan for intervening in the matter of his wife's ex-husband.

"This is merit what Imran Khan has been talking after coming to power. What example Khan has set to remove senior police officer is before everyone and it is regrettable," PML-N former minister Malik Ahmad said. Khan married his "spiritual guide" Bushra Bibi earlier this year. PTI