"As noted in a number of cases, the CNICs of such persons have to be blocked so as to apprehend them," ordered Justice Alam. The hearing was adjourned for a date to be later notified by the office. PHOTO: REUTERS
KARACHI:
The Sindh High Court directed that that the computerised national identity cards (CNICs) of all absconders be blocked so that they could be brought to book.
SHC chief justice Mushir Alam, who headed the bench, passed this order, when Khawaja Ajmer Nagri police disclosed that a missing person is in fact absconding in a criminal case.
Lal Sher had taken the chiefs of the intelligence agencies, police and Rangers to the court, alleging them of unlawfully detaining his son, Dost Muhammad, since September 7, 2012. Filing his report on Thursday, the Khawaja Ajmer Nagri police station's SHO told the judges that the Muhammad along with the co-accused is absconding in a criminal case regarding murder, attempt to murder and possession of illicit arms.
"As noted in a number of cases, the CNICs of such persons have to be blocked so as to apprehend them," ordered Justice Alam. The hearing was adjourned for a date to be later notified by the office.
Recently, the chief justice ordered the inspector general of police to produce details of all accused absconding across the province, including the defunct Peoples Aman Committee chief Uzair Jan Baloch, and ensure their arrest through thumbs impression verification with the help of NADRA.
Many still on the run
According to a report compiled by the SHC inspection team, the trial courts had declared as many as 88,998 accused as absconders in a period of four years - between January 1, 2008, and November 30, 2012. The report submitted to the Supreme Court showed that all the accused had been walking free during the last tenure of the PPP-led government. It further said report that there are 22,535 fugitives and proclaimed offenders in Karachi alone.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 17th, 2013.
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there are many ways to make new CNIC...
How will the blocking of CNICs help. How often do you use your ID card? yes the absconders will come running to the police station when they are unable to buy a new car where CNIC is required. The courts don't fail to amaze me.