Mothers cry in the court begging for action

FIA DG directed to appear on all hearings until children are recovered

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Director-General (DG) to appear in court on December 20 in the case of 20 missing children from Karachi.

A two-member bench of the SHC, headed by Justice Naimatullah Phulpoto, heard the petitions and remarked that there is anxiety among the families over non recovery of their missing children.

The police officials produced a recovered girl before the court and informed the court that girl was sexually assaulted according to medical reports.

The police said that the accused, Waqas, sexually assaulted the girl and threw her outside her home in an unconscious condition. The accused was a relative of the victim. The court expressed annoyance over the police for not arresting the accused.

The bench directed the Sindh Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to look into the matter and summoned the DIG on next hearing.



Despite court orders, FIA officials did not appear before the court. The bench remarked that FIA and police should jointly take steps to recover the missing children.

The DIG Crimes told the court that a team was formed on the orders of Sindh IGP.

The court expressed displeasure over recovery of only one child out of 20, and directed the police to ensure the recovery of all missing children as soon as possible.

‘‘Until the children are not recovered, FIA DIG will appear before the court on every hearing,’’ the bench remarked.

The bench also ordered the police to use modern technology for the recovery of children and also directed the police officials to submit the progress report till December 20.

Another woman, mother of a missing girl Muneeza, told the bench that her 12-year-old dumb girl has been missing since two years.

Mother of another missing child cried and begged the court to bring her daughter back who is missing since 1.5 years while another woman wailed saying that her child was missing since six years.

Police rules

The SHC on Thursday summoned a report regarding the proposed legislation to regulate the transfers and postings in the Police Department.

A two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, heard the plea of contempt of court against the Sindh Chief Minister and Sindh IG. Assistant advocate-general and Barrister Faisal Siddiqui appeared in the court. The petitioner’s lawyer argued that it had been more than a year, but the amendments in the police rules haven’t been made yet. Thirty days’ time was given to make laws but a year has passed without any progress. Assistant advocate-general argued that this issue was on the agenda of the cabinet meeting held on November 13. The court directed him to submit a progress report in the next hearing. Justice Abbasi remarked that amendments in police rules should not be delayed and adjourned the hearing till January 24.

The petition said that the court had ordered to amend the rules of business regarding the postings and transfers of police officers. Government of Sindh failed to implement the court’s order hence Sindh IG and CM were liable to be tried for contempt of court



Urdu university corruption

The SHC on Thursday adjourned the hearing due to the absence of accused in case of illegal contracts, unfair use of authority and corruption worth billions in Federal Urdu University.

A two-member bench heard the case in which the former vice chancellor Dr Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, and officials Huma Sajid, Azhar Ali and Muhammad Ali appeared in the court. The court expressed its anger on the absence of Federal Urdu University former registrar Faheemudeen. The lawyer said that he was extremely ill and was under-treatment at a private hospital. The court, accepting the request for exemption from the appearance, adjourned the hearing till January 8. Meanwhile, extension was granted in bail pleas of the accused.

Lyari Development Authority

The SHC on Thursday adjourned the hearing of the bail plea of Lyari Development Authority former DG Agha Maqsood Abbas, till January 10.

A two-member bench heard the case in which Agha Maqsood appeared before the court. The defence lawyer, Advocate Amir Naqvi, argued that a request was filed in the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and arguments were left on some points but the plea to remove his client’s name has been filed. The court adjourned the hearing till the verdict on the reference.

According to NAB, Agha Maqsood was accused of corruption worth billions in Lyari Development Authority. Reference against accused was filed in an accountability court.

Published In The Express Tribune, December 7^th, 2018.