Residents gather in front of a damaged building after a bomb blast in a residential area, a day earlier, in Karachi March 4, 2013. PHOTO: REUTERS
KARACHI: The Supreme Court axed Inspector General of Sindh Police (IG Sindh) Fayyaz Leghari on Wednesday over the Abbas Town bomb blast, following stinging criticism by the Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.
The court, while hearing a suo moto case on the twin blasts in Abbas Town, ordered the suspension of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Malir Rao Anwar and maintained that all officers, including the IG Sindh, would have resigned from their posts if they had any shame.
During the hearing at Supreme Court's Karachi registry, Director General of Sindh Rangers, Major General Rizwan Akhtar, appeared before the bench after being summoned.
The bench maintained that the Rangers officials were equally responsible for providing security to the people.
After the Supreme Court hearing, the home ministry transferred the IG Sindh and the DIG East to the central government. Sources said both the officers vacated their posts.
Previously, the apex court had issued notices to the IG Sindh and advocate general, summoning them to give details on the progress made in the case.
Chief Justice Chaudhry, heading a three-member bench, said that the court has proof that the police reached four hours late at the site of the twin blasts.
"We'll not allow anyone to enjoy public office at the cost of public taxes and do nothing to safeguard their lives and properties," the chief justice said.
"Those who died in the blast and others who are continuously being targeted in other terrorist acts are not foreigners. They are our own blood, they pay taxes for our salaries."
The advocate general of Sindh submitted a report in the court seeking more time for investigation, but the court rejected the request saying that the law does not wait for anyone. The court said that it will give all important orders in the case today.
Anwer Mansoor Khan said a number of junior police officials had also been removed from their posts and an inquiry would decide whether any were guilty of negligence.
The apex court also ordered the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Military Intelligence (MI), and Intelligence Bureau (IB) to submit reports about the Abbas Town incident, particularly pointing out as to whether intelligence about the blast was shared with law-enforcement agencies.
The verdict in the Abbas Town suo moto case will be announced on March 8 (Friday), Express News reported.
COMMENTS (12)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
I'm wondering if even a single person will be arrested for what happened there?
Many casualties could have been save if the CJ took sou mouto notice when the repeated killings of shias were taking place across the country. Now it has become a normal routine and the nation is used to watch such abysmal picture after every couple of days. The people of pakistan should now raise their voice against extremism and they have to broke their silence over the repeated massacre of minorities. Why we have become so indifferent to the sufferings of our fellows???
I attended the SC (Court Room No. 1) today where this Suo Moto matter was taken up. One thing is clear, the Police and the Rangers have no clue as to what is happening in the City.... which is not surprising at all given that they are only sitting on their seats to woo the politicians and our civil servants and can only protect the same, the so called VIPs of this Country. When a 100 policemen will be posted at one Bilawal House, when the President is not in town and then when he is another 300 will be called in (excluding the Special Branch officials) who will police the rest of the houses in Karachi? Its a simple formula, there is one police man per every 5000 non-VIP citizens. For every VIP there is on average 50 tullas following them here and there with atleast two police mobiles following them and paving the way clear of all tax paying citizens from their route - this is bound to happen.
Whatever the verdict to-morrow, it will NOT be implemented! Caretaker Govt. will have to implement it if will have guts to do so.
After the verdict, there are news of "UNIDENTIFIED" people are forcing shopkeepers in various markets to shut down the shops. So where is the rangers, police and other law enforcement people? Why don't the arrest those culprits at the spot? Why the don't provide security to shopkeepers and other citizens? Why not a single person is arrested red handed?
Dont get high hope. From past experience nothing will happens and like any other CJ's verdicts this will fall to floor as normal.
Only if could eradicate Terrorism with suo-motos!
@Mubi Rana: I disagree BHai... Tell me one thing. Who Set Malik Ishaaq Free ????
May God provide strength to implement it's decission. In past every positive decission by supreme court fail to implemntbt due to corrupt politician of pakistan. Majority of them not paid single pasia as income tax except parlimentarian salary.
May God Bless CJ of Pakistan. He Is The Only Hope For Pakistan.Atleast He is The One who take Action every time there is an incident.Not Like Our Currept Politician's Who Come on T.v Screen's and Condemed and Go Back To home.
Nothing gonna happen ! Only time delay wastage of time and people tax, Because these security official already sold their duties to Govt mna, mpa and for ministers.
i think that decisions regarding rehabilitation of the people should be taken quickly instead of why , who when.