Make all 'no go' areas of Karachi accessible, SC tells IG Sindh
The bench remarked that the Karachi operation could be just the beginning of a long process to restore peace.
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
KARACHI:
The Supreme Court's Karachi registry on Thursday directed that all "no go" areas in the city be made accessible to all citizens.
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.
The Supreme Court's Karachi registry on Thursday directed that all "no go" areas in the city be made accessible to all citizens.
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.