The Supreme Court (SC) observed that the action initiated against the criminals in Karachi is only the beginning of what could be a long and hard endeavor to restore peace. PHOTO: FILE
The Supreme Court observed that the operation initiated against the criminals in Karachi is only the beginning of what could be a long process to restore peace.
The court directed the Inspector General of Police in Sindh to submit a compliance report on the clearance of "no go" areas by the next hearing.
"We may also observe that the actions taken after September 4 are only the beginning. To ensure that the writ of the government prevails in Karachi, a lot of work needs to be done," the bench noted.
The bench was informed that in Peerabad, Minghopir and Sohrab Goth police stations there were some "no go" areas, which were going to be cleared.
The court directed the IGP and the Director General Rangers to comply with the directions of the courts and arrest the 33, 665 absconders and proclaimed offenders roaming around the city freely.
It also asked the IGP to submit a detailed report on police action taken against culprits involved in murder of the policemen who had taken part in the operations launched in Karachi during 1992 and 1996.
The Prosecutor General of Sindh was ordered to place on record the status of all cases pertaining to Karachi, along with names of the courts where these cases are pending.
The presiding officers of all anti-terrorism courts were directed to ensure speedy trial of the accused involved in heinous crimes within seven days as prescribed under Section 19 of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997.
Regarding the issue of 2.5 million 'aliens' present in the city, the bench said it expected the federal and provinical governments to be on top of the matter, “as it is one of the important reasons on account of which the law and order situation is not being controlled.”
Illicit arms
The bench also noted that the provincial government is required to issue a notification in terms of section 2 of the Surrender of Illicit Arms Act, 1991 (Act of 1991) to allow 15 days time to the people who possesses illicit fire arms to surrender them.
“The provincial government has to initiate this process as early as possible but not beyond the period which is envisaged for surrendering of illicit arms, that is, 15 days, so that the law enforcing agencies including Rangers and police may continue their activities to curb and control the criminals involved in disturbing the law and order situation in the Karachi,” the bench said.
The court's judgment said that concerning the smuggling of illicit arms and ammunition in Karachi city or Sindh, it was essential for both the federal and the provincial governments to control it by adopting stringent measures. An identical situation had been noticed in the other provinces, it further stated.
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before you clear no go areas,first ensure the lives of people dealing with criminals is safe.Just today the lawyer working on the Wali Khan Babar murder case was shot and no points on guessing on who would want him dead!
I wish if the IGP Sindh can obey the orders of the SC and submit a report on the next date of hearing the there are no more "no go areas" in Karachi any more.
My question to IGP in this context is that he should tell to the SC as why at the first instance the no go area came into existence?
When Police came to knew about the no go areas in Karachi what Police have done after it to establish the writ of the Government?
The factual position is that Police did not bother to finish the no go areas as the Police was more interested to save the lives of its personnel rather than clearing the in go areas.
The Police Department has recruited "coward" Officers and Jawans and out of the whole lot there were few Police Officials who were interested in combating with the terrorists and have laid down their lives in the line of duty.
But most of the Policemen whether they are Officers or Jawans, they do not want to put their lives at risk.
It was just that Police Officials were sleeping and due to this very reason the illicit arms were distributed among the target killers to kill the innocent people.
Rounding these criminals is just 1st stop. What we need from Police is police-work so that evidence against these criminals can stand in court. And from lawmakers we need laws to put them behind bars for a long period of time. Lastly, we hope that courts are given enough resources to do speedy trials. There is no need to be taking these criminals to courts when trials can held either in jail or through video links.