Summary SC has remarked how can elections be transparent in a city where the citizens are terror stricken.
Supreme Court (SC) has remarked how come elections be 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 comprised Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, Justice Sarmad Jalal Usmani, Justice Jawwad S Khawaja and Justice Amir Hani Muslim.
During the hearing the bench expressed annoyance over lawlessness in the city and inquired from the concerned authorities that the citizens are terror stricken and lives of the people are not secure then the court be told who is responsible for all of it and who should be held accountable.
Court remarked that government of Sindh should give advertisement 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 inquired that over 22,000 proclaimed offenders and absconding accused are roaming freely in the city and as to why no action has been taken to arrest them. SC wants article 9 of the constitution is implemented.
Government is responsible if the life and property of the citizens is not safe in Karachi, he remarked.
Justice Jawwad S Khawaj remarked if it is not possible for the police to apprehend proclaimed offenders and absconders then it is no harm in admitting that government has not provided funds therefore police cannot curb the crimes.
Justice Jawwad S Khawaja further remarked it should be said that the matter has been spiraled out of grip and “we cannot control it.
Interior secretary Wasim Ahmad said proposals have been sent to the government to introduce amendment in arms act.
The court expressed wonder on sending summary of the proposed arms ordinance by interior secretary to the federal government and remarked this process runs contrary to the spirit of provincial autonomy.
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.
“You 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 20000 absconding accused have been arrested in Karachi.
Justice Amir Hani Muslim inquired from IG Sindh how many investigation officers are working in the city. IG Sindh could give no reply on it.
Justice Amir Hani Muslim inquired if it was correct that only 169 investigation officers are working in the city.
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 is deployed in the city since the last 18 years and heavy budget is being spent on them. Even then there is failure in ensuring peace in the city.
Additional IG Karachi, Iqbal Mehmood told the court we are facing shortage of police strength.
Giving its remarks on imposition of ban on the recruitment of police personnel by election commission, court said SC had given order on the enrolment of police personnel last time in November, 2012 and election commission has slapped ban a few weeks earlier.
SSP Nayyaz Khoso said 105 cases of kidnapping for ransom were registered during the last year. People don’t come to record evidence and register cases and peace will remain elusive unless legislation is enacted.
The court while making part of its orders, the statement given by Khoso remarked lawlessness could be overcome through legislation.
Justice Khilji Arif Hussain said now the extortion money chit works well instead of kidnapping for ransom. The kidnappers have abandoned kidnapping for ransom.
The court while expressing dissatisfaction over the report about the steps taken by the government regarding implementation of its verdict in Karachi violence case has sought parawise replies.
The court has adjourned the hearing till Thursday.
