Summary The SC remarked that transparent elections are not possible when citizens were scared and nervous.
KARACHI: The Supreme Court has remarked how elections can take place in transparent manner in a city where the citizens are terror-stricken.
The remarks were given by SC during the course of hearing of Karachi lawlessness case by a four-member larger bench of apex court in Karachi Registry Wednesday.
The bench comprising Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, Justice Sarmad Jalal Usmani, Justice Jawwad S Khawaja and Justice Amir Hani Muslim expressed annoyance over lawlessness in the city and inquired from the concerned authorities the law and order situation in the city.
“When the citizens are terror-stricken and lives of the people are not secure, the court be told who is responsible for all of it and who should be held accountable.”
Court remarked government of Sindh should announce that the citizens should come out of their homes on their personal responsibility and government is not responsible in this regard.
Prosecutor General Sindh Shahadat Awan told the court that 22,535 proclaimed offenders and absconders are present in the city.
Justice Jawwad S Khawaja consulted as why the law enforcing agencies and institutions were not taking action against the violators.
Interior secretary Wasim Ahmad said proposals have been sent to the government to introduce amendment in Arms Act.
Justice Amir Hani Muslim inquired from IG Sindh, “how many cases of target killings have been converted into A-class and how a case of murder is made A class within a week.”
“The police officers convert murder case into A class while sitting in home, he observed. An inspector is investigation officer in high profile cases who asks for money from the injured persons. If this is standard of investigation officer then what will happen in future, he further observed.
IG Sindh Fayyaz Leghari told the court over 3000 proclaimed offenders and 20,000 absconding accused have been arrested in Karachi.
Additional IG Legal Ali Sher Jakhrani told the court that 700 or 800 investigation officers may be working in the entire Sindh. 250 investigation officers are working in Karachi city, he added.
Justice Amir Hani Muslim remarked sacked bodies are not lifted by police mobile and they are lifted by ambulances or private vehicles.
Justice Jawwad S Khawaja remarked what is being informed to the court about the situation of Karachi, we see no hope for any peace therein. Rangers have been deployed in the city since the last 18 years and heavy budget is being spent on them but peace in the city could not be restored satisfactorily.
The court adjourned the hearing till February 7.
