PHOTO: FILE
PESHAWAR:
The Peshawar High Court on Thursday directed the police investigation team probing sectarian target killings to expedite the process after it was told investigations have reached a culmination point.
However, the team refused to share the information in court publicaly and sought more time in order to reach a conclusion.
During the hearing, Senior Superintendent Police (Investigation Wing) Sajid Mohmand told a division bench headed by PHC Chief Justice Dost Muhammad Khan and comprising Justice Irshad Qaiser that his team was probing target killings, including that of Advocate Jarrar Hussain, from different angles. He added they were close to nabbing the culprits.
The bench maintained the number of incidents has decreased significantly since the court took notice of the matter, adding the investigation team should leave no stone unturned.
The bench later adjourned the case till April 11 and directed the investigation team to accelerate the process so the culprits may be brought to justice.
On February 12, the court took suo motu notice of target killings, specifically of members of a particular sect, in the provincial capital. It directed the police to probe recent incidents and arrest the perpetrators.
On February 14, police claimed they have collected evidence for two of the seven target killing cases, but hesitated to divulge the information publically due to its sensitive nature.
Police officials maintained two target killing cases were the result of personal feuds, adding that conclusion of one case would help solve others. The officials added they were closely coordinating with intelligence agencies and have already dispatched teams to other provinces as well.
The court, however, revealed three groups comprising 48 target killers were active in the city and questioned why the spy agencies had failed to nab the culprits.
Several members of the Shia community, including a police official, a judge and two doctors, have been targeted in recent attacks said to be a result of sectarian strife.
On February 8, senior Shia lawyer Advocate Malik Jarar Hussain was shot dead on Gulbahar Road. He was also a council member and former vice-chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan’s (HRCP) Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chapter.
On January 22, member of a prominent Shia family from Peshawar, Dr Shah Nawaz Ali was gunned down inside his clinic in Liaquat Bazaar, Saddar.
Earlier, Pakistan Peoples Party’s Kurram Agency president Dr Syed Riaz Hussain was shot dead outside his clinic in Habib Medical Centre, Dabgari Garden on January 9.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 15th, 2013.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ