SC Shifts violence case in Karachi registry

SC Shifts violence case in Karachi registry
South Asian News Agency (SANA) ⋅ August 26, 2011 ⋅
SC Shifts violence case in Karachi registry

ISLAMABAD (SANA): Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) has sought detailed reports from the Attorney General (AG), advocate general of Sindh and Inspector General Police Sindh with details of target killings in Karachi.

Five-member SC bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and comprising on Justice Shakirullah Jan, Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk, Justice Tariq Parvez and Justice Ghulam Rabbani, on Friday started the early hearing of the suo motu case.

Meanwhile, the apex court accepting petitions for hearing regarding calling army in Karachi has issued notices to the respondents and allowed the Awami National Party to become party in the case.

During the course of hearing Attorney General Maulvi Anwar-ul-Haq stated that due to shortage of time he could not prepare the detailed report as per the directions of the court, therefore court may give some time to prepare report.

Court directed AG to convene a meeting with law enforcement agencies and get information regarding target killing, court further directed that the failure of security agencies should be proceeded according to law.

The CJ said that a report should be submitted containing details of the bodies found in gunny bags which were beheaded and tortured. He also said that the report should provide details of the areas where the bodies were recovered.

The Supreme Court had taken suo motu notice of the escalating violence in Karachi on Wednesday. The attorney-general was issued a notice to appear and submit a comprehensive report on incidents of violence in Karachi. However, the report was not submitted in court.
The CJ observed that the AG should have consulted the ISI, military intelligence and Intelligence Bureau for getting a complete picture on Karachi.

The Sindh advocate general told the court that they had recently exonerated an accused who had confessed to killing 100 people.
In reply to this, Justice Ghulam Rabbani observed that instead of blaming the court, the government should have arrested the accused when he committed the first murder.

The counsel of Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, Abdul Hafiz Pirzada, told the court that calling the army into Karachi would not control violence.

Pirzada informed the court that “Warlords rule Karachi, which today faces a complex problem with multiple dimensions.
“God help us,” the CJ observed while expressing shock over the presence of warlords.

The chief justice said Karachi, the locus of business activity, should not be allowed to descend into further chaos.

The counsel of the federal government, Babar Awan, said warlords had also taken Swat hostage but the government had defeated them. He said the CJP should not make statements which could be misconstrued.

The chief justice expressed his dissatisfaction over the report. The chief secretary said due to its being a provincial subject, complete information could not be had.

CJP told the attorney general about the sensitivity of the case directing him not to take it in a light manner. One strike in Karachi incurs a loss of Rs 25 billion, CJP added. The situation in Karachi is out of control for the last one month.

The CJP said it was demand of the 180 million people that was why the court took the action. He directed to include the take of all the agencies in the report.

Sindh government’s attorney Abdul Hafeez Peerzada said court didn’t have the solution to the Karachi issue. The CJP said the court has the constitutional right to ensure the rights of the common people. The court asked how many people had been killed and why the culprits could not be nabbed.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry expressed grave concerns over uncontrolled volatile situation in Karachi, saying the governmental apparatus seemed to have broken down in the city to contain violence.

Former Law Minister Babar Awan appeared before the court on the part of the federal government; while, the chief secretary and Sindh Inspector General Police (IGP) Wajid Ali Durrani represented the Sindh government before the court.

The CJ Chaudhry said the chief secretary and IG Sindh had not been summoned; instead, they were sought to submit their statement through Advocate General.

The federation’s counsel Babar Awan voiced reservations over the some of judiciary’s observations and remarks regarding administration’s failure.

Chief Justice stressed the Attorney General had been asked to submit report consisting of incidents over past one month.

President Sindh High court Bar Association Anwar Mansoor Khan appeared before the court and submitted the relevant record and stated that 19 advocates have been killed in Karachi, adding that Murtaza Chinai has been killed by the culprits and police has not taking action against them, he said that administration has failed in the Karachi.

Court directed IGP Sindh that he personally look into matter of Murtaza Chinai an advocate of SC and submit detailed report on next date of hearing on 29 August.

President Supreme court Bar Association Asma Jahangir also appeared before the court. Court said that next hearing would be at Karachi registry on 29 august.

Advocate Iftikhar Gilani appeared on the behalf of Awami national Party and contended that they want to become party in the case. Court allowing him said that he can file the application through proper channel.
Court issued notices to all respondents including Prime Minister and Interior Minister on the petitions regarding calling Army in Karachi for restoration of peace. These petitions have been filed by advocates of SC namely Asad advocate and barrister Zafrullah Khan.