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Print Print edition: 2011-10-15

The Karachi 'decision' or indecision?

Published Updated

Like the 99 percent of my compatriots, over 160 million strong Pakistanis, I am neither a jurisprudence-savvy individual, nor do I understand its related intricacies, but I do understand and recognise that it is incumbent upon every citizen to accept a court verdict, regardless of one's like or dislike of the decision.
However, at the same time it is the right of every citizen to express his or her views, for or against, a judicial verdict. Exercising this inalienable right, as a citizen, I wish to express my deep disappointment with the outcome of the proceedings, which were undertaken by the specially constituted apex court bench following the suo motu notice taken by the Supreme Court in the matter of targeted killings in Karachi.
As has been opined by a number of citizens of the country, that the supreme court 'judgement', can not be termed or taken as a judgement or a firm and implementable decision. What the Supreme Court has announced, candidly speaking, was not a verdict or judgement. This can best be described as a 'commentary' on the subject of targeted killings, a narrative on the prevalent law and order situation and a request to the present government to take cognisance of the matter and consider implementation of the necessary administrative measures to control and arrest the deteriorating law and order in the city.
At a stretch, one can describe the related narrative of the apex court as a reminder to the current ruling junta of its obligation to protect the life and property of the citizens, as enshrined in the constitution or a list of suggestions to be merely followed. There is no emphasis either to implement these suggestions, which are left entirely to the discretion of the current government, or what consequences are in store for the government, should these suggestions be not followed. The apex court, sadly, delivered an extremely benign verdict, which is unlikely to be implemented or result in long-term improvement in the law and order situation.
The apex court's narrative, to the utmost disappointment and dismay of the citizenry, did not hold an individual or individuals, a political party or a group, specifically responsible for the heinous crime of targeted killings, extortion and land grabbing. Nor did the apex court order arrest of any individual, involved in patronising and running a cell of criminals responsible for the killings and indulging in acts of extortion.
The temporary lull in the city and reduction in targeted killings is the result of the ruling government's deliberate inaction allowing the criminals to hide in safe havens under the protection of the ruling leadership, coalition partners, the influential and the rest of the groups.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2011

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