Karachi unrest case: ‘Who will protect witnesses if police cannot protect themselves?’

IG Sindh informs bench that Rs100,000 have been allocated for the security of witnesses.

KARACHI: Justice Khilji Arif expressed concern over who will provide security to witnesses if police are unable to protect themselves, while hearing the Karachi unrest case on Friday, reported Express News.

IG Sindh informed the court that Rs100,000 have been allocated for the security of witnesses in the case, but people are not willing to get their statements recorded.

He said that the police are being targeted for arresting terrorists belonging to the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). A total of 182 target killers were arrested in the city while 127 police officials were killed, he added.

Justice Jawad S Khwaja remarked that the police can form as many cells as they want but nothing will happen till any concrete step is taken. He also questioned the steps taken by the police to protect witnesses.

The judge said that court orders are not being implemented and whoever is responsible for this, court will issue orders against him as well.

The hearing was adjourned till February 25.

A strike was observed in Karachi on Friday against the targeted killings of ulema in the city. Transporters joined the protest while businesses also remained closed.