Target killings : PHC slams police for failing to curb violence

CCPO says they are closely coordinating with secret agencies and have dispatched teams for investigations.

PESHAWAR: Peshawar police claimed to have intelligence regarding two of seven recent target killings in the city, but due to the sensitive nature of the matter, declined to make the information public.

The claim was made during the hearing of a suo motu notice taken by the Peshawar High Court (PHC) against an increasing number of targeted attacks.

Chief Justice (CJ) Dost Muhammad Khan and Justice Waqar Ahmed Seth were informed two among seven target killings were the result of personal feuds.

One case’s conclusion will pave the way for others, said CCPO Imtiaz Altaf, adding the police were closely coordinating with secret agencies and had already dispatched teams to other provinces.

“Three groups of 48 target killers are active in the provincial capital. If agencies have this information what are your reasons for failing to arrest them?” questioned CJ Khan. He added police chief Akbar Khan Hoti had failed his legal obligation to protect citizens.



“They (target killers) observe a target for around two months before killing him,” said Hoti, adding that only 8,000 personnel including police, frontier constabulary, elite force and army were deployed in the city.

They have better surveillance on their targets than you have on the culprits, the bench replied, adding that the killers had penetrated police ranks.

The bench directed police to enhance the number of guards in markets and Shia residential areas, and to launch awareness campaigns to ensure inhabitants of the city share information regarding suspects with the police.

The PHC has also ordered to set-up a Universal Access Number (UAN) which will allow residents to anonymously inform police of any suspected activities.

Torture case

The PHC has directed the provincial police chief to register a case against officers who allegedly tortured a lawyer on February 7.

During the hearing of a complaint filed by the Peshawar High Court Bar Association (PHCBA) on Tuesday, the bench was informed that a medico-legal report suggested that Advocate Furqan was severely tortured. Based on the findings of this report, the bench, was asked to register a case under the Pakistan Penal Code against assistant superintendent Ali Akbar and his subordinates.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 15^th, 2013.