SC gives Sindh Govt 2 days to appoint ATC judges

The CJP asked this question while presiding over a 5-member bench of Supreme Court (SC) during the hearing of suo motu notice of Karachi violence Tuesday.The CJP said the Sindh government wanted to induct its favourite judges in 8 Anti-Terrorism Courts (ATC) as no judge had been appointed therein for the last two years. The SC summoned the Sindh law secretary immediately.The CJP directed the AGS ensure appointment of judges in ATCs and banking courts within two days.Justice Anwar Jamali remarked posts of judges were lying vacant for the last two years but what the government was doing.The AGS said judges would be appointed in ATCs within 3 days. But CJP ordered these appointments be made within two days and notification be issued. The Chief Justice Sindh had proposed the names in this respect and all the judges proposed by him were honest, he remarked.The CJP said to AGS: “It seems from your talk that you are trying to give linguistic colour to the Karachi situation. Violence in Karachi be not given linguistic colour. Report about Ajmal Pahari is enough to open the eyes.”The CJP inquired from the AGS if he has read Joint Investigation Report about Ajmal Pahari.The AGS informed SC footage of torture cells could be shown in chambers but it could not be shown in the court due to some objectionable material in it.Justice Amir Hani Muslim inquired the IG Sindh if challan of accused Madhuri had been presented in the court.The IG Sindh said Kamran Madhuri was arrested in injured condition and he was undergoing treatment. One of his hands is mutilated, he further said.Justice Amir Hani Muslim ordered the IG Sindh to present challan along with medical report of Kamran Madhuri in the court.Upon it, CJP remarked names of Kamran Madhuri and Sohail were not included in FIR of Chakra Goth incident.Giving her arguments before larger bench, Asma Jahangir President Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) said the MQM had introduced the culture of extorting money and it was still involved in this practice. The MQM was deteriorating the situation for the last 10 years but no action has been taken against it, she added.She said all know who has killed Wali Babar. The Rangers investigate the accused persons but police does not share its findings, she submitted. Interference of the Army in government affairs is not acceptable in any circumstances, she pleaded.She alleged the MQM, the ANP, Sunni Tehrik, PPP Shaheed Bhutto and Sepah-e- Sahaba were extortionists.The CJP said in his remarks lawyers should assist the court. “We hope the lawyers’ community will help us after conducting research,” he said. “How the government exercised its influence and how it controlled the situation in the UK,” he added.The CJP asked the AGS as to why the killers of 306 persons had not been arrested. The AGS requested he be given 15 minutes for his defence.The CJP said: “We want to hear a lot from you. Time will be given to you. Several things are being concealed by you.”The hearing of the case has been adjourned till Wednesday in the Supreme Court Karachi registry.