Armed groups of ethnic, political parties involved in Karachi violence

KARACHI: Director General, Sindh Rangers Major General Ejaz Chaudhry has said that armed groups of political and ethnic parties were involved in violence in Karachi.

This he submitted before five-member bench of the Supreme Court during hearing of suo motu case regarding law and order situation in Karachi here on Wednesday.

The bench of the apex court comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, Justice Sarmad Jalal Usmani, Justice Amer Hani Muslim and Justice Ghulam Rabbani is conducting day to day hearing of the case.

The DG Rangers submitted that police powers, given to the Rangers should remain with them till restoration of law and order fully in the city.

Attorney General Molvi Anwarul Haq informed the court that representative of ISI would brief the court on law and order situation and other related issues tomorrow.

Senior lawyer Ghulam Qadir Jatoi argued on behalf of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI).

He requested the court to take notice of press conference and statements of former minister Zulfikar Mirza.

On this, the Chief Justice remarked that if Zulfikar Mirza stated something his affidavit should be presented in the court.

"It is not the job of the court to record statements of witnesses; for this a separate petition has to be filed", the CJ said.

During proceedings the Chief Justice remarked that "the bench is focusing on the law and order situation and violence related incidents that took place in Karachi during July 24 to August 24 2011.

The bench will resume the proceedings on Thursday.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011