Punjab police have failed to submit complete charge-sheets in 18 out of 27 high-profile terrorism cases before anti-terrorism courts even after a lapse of 13 years.
According to official documents obtained by The Express Tribune, the incidents of terrorism and sectarian violence occurred between June 21, 1998 and April 3 this year. The cases are still pending in 14 anti-terrorism courts across the province.
Incidents of terrorism have claimed lives of as many as 303 people, including more than 10 armymen, dozens of FIA officials, police officers and 82 Ahmadis in Punjab, according to documents. Official record showed that out of a total of 1,719 witnesses, only 238 were examined, while 32 witnesses withdrew their earlier testimonies.
Documents shed more light in an incident in which terrorists attacked the Jamaat-i-Ahmadi centre, Darul Zikr, located near Garhi Shahu in Lahore. Eight to 10 terrorists attacked the place of worship with sophisticated weapons and hand-grenades on May 28 last year, killing 52 Ahmadis. The official record does not mention even a single witness.
The police have arrested 97 of the accused in these cases. However, some of them have been acquitted or released on bail. More than 13 of the accused are still at large despite being declared proclaimed offenders by the courts, the official record showed.
Notable pending cases included the suicide attack on the GPO Chowk, attacks on the Sri Lankan cricket team, suicide attacks on Rescue 15/ISI building and Ahmadi places of worship in Lahore, sectarian violence in Sheikhupura, terror attack in Gujranwala, assassination attempt on former president General Pervez Musharraf, assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and attack on ISI office in Multan.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 11th, 2011.
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Yes the country's police is pathetic and laws weak but judiciary is equally to blame. While he has picked up high profile cases and taken cues from media CJ Iftikhar has been responsible to let go scores of terrorists. The same have then murdered hundreds of innocent people as well as policemen and soldiers. But then who can question the judiciary or the judicio-media-Nawaz alliance of total goodness.
@Cautious:
Those who are blowing up have stronger backing than those who are being blown up.
Let's see, when it comes to journalists, human rights activists and helpless Baluchis then they simply disappear with their mutilated bodies found subsequently; but when it comes to real terrorists then our agencies hand them over to a system which they know will never convict them. What side is our agencies on? Why don’t they make some of the real terrorists disappear too for a change?
@antony: My dear man, there is only one flaw with your comment, that is let alone the Law enforcement agencies's incompetance as well as Army's to act in the interest of National security and well being of its own people. But in Case of 26/11, perpetrators names and locations are in public domain, and yet there is blatant disregard for any action against them, while the politician's of Pakistan keep playing same old bloody record as to awaitng more info etc... and the rest of the BS !! How does any responsible nation hold dialogue with view to normalising relationship, with these people in such a climate ????
These terrorist are blowing up your own people and you seem to be incapable of even doing basic police/judiciary work -- shame on you.
new words for pakistan government : incompetent. pakistan military : complicit pakistan police : complicit to allow terrorist in neighbourhood and incompetent in arresting them. Good old Indians are still dreaming of justice for 26/11 ( thinking by general 1billion public) ..IF only they come here to read these statistics they would reduce their anger as BB and Srilankan team attack was international shame and should have kicked their butt to bring the perpretators to justice but alas still incompetent investigation goin on
If even there is any progress it will be for their release and not conviction. These matters are very hot to handle by our corrupt and coward system. Be it a judge, police or any tom, dick or harry, no one can pass any judgement against these protected species in our country.
So much for Justice and Judiciary in Pakistan !!! Its a Joke and farce !! The Leaders of Pakistan should be Ashamed of themselves !!!!
Lol do u seriously believe police to work??
There never will be any progress in these 16 cases or any other terrorism case because it needs will to do the work which our investigators lack: maybe they are scared of the terrorists or simply do not have the knowledge to do so and any terrorists who are arrested are being released by the courts, soft corner??? NO but for lack of evidence!!!!!
Fear is the key for tardy progress for all terrorism related cases in Pakistan. Judges, police and key witnesses know their fate very well if they co-operate with the state. Therefore, chances of militancy going down in the country are extremely remote.