Karachi unrest: Justice Khilji proposes sending Rangers back to borders
Only 3000 traffic police to control 2.7 million vehicles in the city, DIG traffic tells SC.
KARACHI:
Justice Khilji Arif Hussain remarked that rangers have produced no results in their 18 years in Karachi and should be sent back to safeguard the borders, Express News reported on Thursday.
The larger bench was hearing the case pertaining to the implementation of the court’s orders in the verdict given last year after the Supreme Court took suo motu of violence and unrest in the province.
The case is being heard in the Supreme Court’s Karachi Registry.
The report on target killings presented in court today stated that there were a total of 2,381 important cases including murder and out of them; only 661 suspects had been arrested while more than 3,500 remained at large.
Justice Khilji Arif Hussain remarked saying that the Rangers had been performing their duty in Karachi since 18 years and a hefty portion of the budget was being spent on them but added that the rangers had yielded no results.
He remarked that either the police should be removed from Karachi and only the Rangers be stationed here or send them back to safeguard our borders and use their portion of the budget on the police instead.
Unregistered vehicles
The Supreme Court had summoned the DIG traffic police in today’s hearing. The DIG appeared in court and upon being questioned about the state of traffic, informed the court that there were only 3000 traffic police officers in Karachi.
He said that there were around 15000 public transport vehicles in the city and around 2.7 million vehicles in total. He also informed the court that there were only 1500 police wardens available per shift to control this huge amount of traffic.
The court then issued orders to stop from operation and take action against vehicles which were unregistered, non-duty paid, internationally registered or in poor condition.
Justice Khilji Arif Hussain said that cage atop public transport buses should be removed too and remarked that there was no alternate system of public transport available for the public and that not even 10 percent of public transport drivers were licensed.
The court also ordered submission of details on unregistered government vehicles.
Target killings
Rejecting the report presented during today’s hearing, the larger bench ordered Sindh Police to submit a comprehensive report on target killings in the city over the past year.
The larger bench stated that while the police were fighting against terrorism, police officers were issuing mere Rs100 challans to unregistered vehicles and those without registration number plates.
The court asked how the situation in the city would improve at such a pace.
Sindh Government’s Finance secretary appeared in court, as did AIG Sindh Police Bashir Memon, who presented the report as directed by the court earlier.
The court was dissatisfied with the report.
Justice Khilji Arif Hussain remarked that every murder creates panic in the city and added that 90% of the people are now victims of psychological stress.
Despite this, said Justice Khilji, unregistered vehicles with flags were being driven around the city but no one was stopping these.
The court then ordered for a comprehensive report of target killings over the past year.
Justice Khilji Arif Hussain remarked that rangers have produced no results in their 18 years in Karachi and should be sent back to safeguard the borders, Express News reported on Thursday.
The larger bench was hearing the case pertaining to the implementation of the court’s orders in the verdict given last year after the Supreme Court took suo motu of violence and unrest in the province.
The case is being heard in the Supreme Court’s Karachi Registry.
The report on target killings presented in court today stated that there were a total of 2,381 important cases including murder and out of them; only 661 suspects had been arrested while more than 3,500 remained at large.
Justice Khilji Arif Hussain remarked saying that the Rangers had been performing their duty in Karachi since 18 years and a hefty portion of the budget was being spent on them but added that the rangers had yielded no results.
He remarked that either the police should be removed from Karachi and only the Rangers be stationed here or send them back to safeguard our borders and use their portion of the budget on the police instead.
Unregistered vehicles
The Supreme Court had summoned the DIG traffic police in today’s hearing. The DIG appeared in court and upon being questioned about the state of traffic, informed the court that there were only 3000 traffic police officers in Karachi.
He said that there were around 15000 public transport vehicles in the city and around 2.7 million vehicles in total. He also informed the court that there were only 1500 police wardens available per shift to control this huge amount of traffic.
The court then issued orders to stop from operation and take action against vehicles which were unregistered, non-duty paid, internationally registered or in poor condition.
Justice Khilji Arif Hussain said that cage atop public transport buses should be removed too and remarked that there was no alternate system of public transport available for the public and that not even 10 percent of public transport drivers were licensed.
The court also ordered submission of details on unregistered government vehicles.
Target killings
Rejecting the report presented during today’s hearing, the larger bench ordered Sindh Police to submit a comprehensive report on target killings in the city over the past year.
The larger bench stated that while the police were fighting against terrorism, police officers were issuing mere Rs100 challans to unregistered vehicles and those without registration number plates.
The court asked how the situation in the city would improve at such a pace.
Sindh Government’s Finance secretary appeared in court, as did AIG Sindh Police Bashir Memon, who presented the report as directed by the court earlier.
The court was dissatisfied with the report.
Justice Khilji Arif Hussain remarked that every murder creates panic in the city and added that 90% of the people are now victims of psychological stress.
Despite this, said Justice Khilji, unregistered vehicles with flags were being driven around the city but no one was stopping these.
The court then ordered for a comprehensive report of target killings over the past year.