SHC demands comment on target killings

Residents look into a bullet-riddled vehicle in Karachi during the recent spate of target killings. PHOTO: REUTERS

KARACHI: The Sindh government and police have ten days to submit their comments on the target killings in Karachi, ordered the Sindh High Court on Thursday. The judges noted that prior to this – in May and June – the government’s legal representatives had asked for more time to file comments on the matter but nothing had happened.

On Thursday, the Assistant Advocate General was tasked with submitting the comments along with a copy of an official notification on the formation of a fact-finding tribunal, nominating a former SHC judge, to investigate the violence.

A division bench, comprising acting Chief Justice Mushir Alam and Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, also directed the AAG to file comments by the Karachi police chief by the next hearing.

Human Rights Commission South Asia’s representative Syed Iqbal Kazmi approached the court against the violence, ‘no go areas’ and illegal arms. He cited the interior secretary, chief secretary, DG Rangers, IG police, Capital City Police Officer Karachi and 23 SHOs as respondents.

He submitted that 450 political activists were killed in the first six months of 2009 in Karachi. He stated Article 9 of the Constitution guaranteed protection to citizens, Article 4 assured every individual the right to be dealt with according to the law. He contended that 445 people lost their lives due to political enmities from January 1 to 27, 2009 but the provincial government failed to protect their lives.

On Friday, AAG Adnan Karim submitted that the government had formed a fact-finding tribunal headed by Justice (retd) Ali Sain Dino Metlo and a notification was issued.

The SHC said that on May 14, 2010, AAG Miran Muhammad Shah had asked the court for more time so he could get the comments from the respondents on the targeted killings and a similar request was made by Additional AG Muhammad Sarwar Khan on June 2, 2010. “Today again, AAG Adnan Karim seeks more time to file comments in the matter. He is directed to file comments … within 10 days.” The matter will next be taken up after the court’s summer vacations.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 30^th, 2010.