Karachi has become ‘worst city’ in country: SC

Court expresses its lack of trust in Sindh govt’s performance

ISLAMABAD:  

Justice Gulzar Ahmed of the Supreme Court observed on Thursday that Karachi had become the “worst city” in the country given that dangerous criminals freely roamed its streets robbing citizens and police were unable to stop them.

“Regretfully, Karachi has become the worst city in Pakistan. Robbers stopped a vehicle at a busy market in broad daylight and made away with Rs9 million. Citizens are mugged during traffic jams,” the judge noted.

A three-member bench of the court headed by Justice Gulzar was hearing the sou motu case of the death of 10-year-old girl Amal Umer, who was shot during an exchange of fire between police and criminals in Karachi on August 13 last year.

The judge particularly expressed his reservations over the performance of the Sindh government. He observed that the provincial government was in a “bad state”.

When the court expressed its lack of trust in the Sindh government’s performance, Additional Advocate General Shabbir Ahmed Shah said he wanted to present his point of view on the issue.

However, Justice Gulzar refused to hear him noting that the Sindh government had no solution to any problem.

He judge added that apparently there was no government in Karachi.
The counsel for Amal Umer's parents informed the court that the police had conceded their mistake in a report about the incident.

He added that the police, the regulators and the hospital had been held responsible for the death of the girl in the report.

The lawyer also told the court that the Sindh police had been prohibited from using heavy weapons during patrolling.

Justice Gulzar inquired if it would be wise to restrict police from using heavy weapons in a city like Karachi where there is a high crime rate.

The lawyer responded that police in several cities of the world had been stopped from using machine guns during patrolling.

The court ordered the lawyers from both sides to submit their response in writing within four weeks and adjourned the hearing till the end of the summer vacation.

Perween Rehman case

A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Justice Shaikh Azmat Saeed heard the suo-motu case of the murder of social worker Perween Rehman.
The sister of the slain social worker thanked the court for its efforts.
Justice Ejazul Ahsan said a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) formed for the case was carrying out its inquiry.
The counsel for the petitioner maintained that the trial court was under pressure as the case was being heard at the Supreme Court. The court adjourned the hearing for an indefinite period.