On street crime: SHC tells petitioner to implead cellular companies in case

Hearing adjourned till Feb 22

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) asked the petitioner on Wednesday to implead private cellular companies as party in a case relating to growing street crime in the metropolis.

A two-judge bench, headed by Justice Naimatullah Phulpoto, fixed the next hearing on February 22.



The petitioner, Muzamil Mumtaz Meo, a practicing lawyer, had approached the court against resurge in street crime in Karachi and had sought directions for the police and paramilitary force to curb such crime. He had named the provincial chief secretary, home secretary, inspector-general of police and others as respondents.

In the plea, he argued that the graph of street crime in the city had jumped to an alarming height and criminals were depriving citizens of their valuables. Many people have lost their lives and others have been injured during street crimes, he claimed.

The petitioner had pointed out that most of such crimes were being committed in the Landhi and Korangi neighbourhoods. Meo had alleged that the police had failed to control the increasing street crime and asked for protection of the citizens.



In the plea, he had requested the court to direct the police and other law enforcement agencies to take action against the criminals and provide protection to the citizens, which was their duty under the law.

During Wednesday's proceedings, a federal law officer, Ashfaq Janjua, suggested that cellular companies may also be made part of the case.

Therefore, the bench directed the petitioner to implead all cellular companies as respondents in the matter and adjourned the hearing till February 22.



Meanwhile, it re-issued notices to the provincial chief secretary, home secretary, inspector-general of police and others to file their comments.