SHC orders arrest of over 50,000 absconders
A file photo of the Sindh High Court building.
The Sindh High Court has given a task to the Inspector General of Sindh Police to arrest more than 50,000 absconding accused from across the province and ordered him to immediately block their national identity cards and passports and freeze their bank accounts.
The Supreme Court remarked that not arresting the fugitive accused is also a serious crime. No MNA and MPA will interfere in the arrest of the accused. The province is facing the worst law and order situation because of the fugitive accused.
A two-member bench headed by Justice KK Agha heard the case regarding the non-arrest of accused Hamad Siddiqui and other absconding people involved in the Baldia tragedy case.
The IG Sindh submitted the report which revealed that as many as 50,058 accused are absconding across the province. The report stated that the number of fugitive accused in Larkana division alone is more than 23,000.
The court was surprised to see such a large number of fugitive accused in the province of Sindh. Justice KK Agha remarked that there is no political government in the province. No MNA and MPA will interfere in the arrest of the accused.
The said, what DIG Larkana is doing if there are 23,000 fugitive accused in Larkana division alone.
The IG giving explanation, said that he took charge only 40 days ago. DIG Larkana has also been appointed recently. The court remarked if administrative matters are improved, crimes can be reduced. Such a large number of absconders in Larkana division is beyond comprehension.
IG Sindh said there are tribal and remote areas due to which such a large number of accused are absconding.
Justice Agha said in his remarks that they also expect from the caretaker government that they will assist in the arrest of the fugitive accused. IG Sindh said that efforts will be made to arrest the fugitive accused.
The court also ordered chairman NADRA, ministry of home affairs, foreign office and State Bank to submit a report by October 23.
In an informal conversation after the hearing, IG Sindh Rifat Mukhtiar said that it will be investigated why there are 23,000 fugitive in Larkana division.
IG Sindh said that efforts are being made to arrest the fugitives as soon as possible.
n response to a question, Rifat Mukhtiar said that the CM has formed a committee on the issue of Skrand. He said that a meeting of this committee was also held yesterday. The number of fugitives is not high only in Sindh but it is high throughout the country.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 3rd, 2023.