Supreme Court to hear case on daily basis: peace in Karachi so important to country: CJP

The Supreme Court on Friday decided to hear suo motu case regarding Karachi unrest, especially target killings, on daily basis from August 29, and issued directives to Federal and Sindh governments to submit comprehensive reports about the law and order situation in Karachi.
A large bench comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Shakir Ullah Jan, Justice Nasir-ul-Mulk, Justice Tarq Pervaiz and Justice Ghulam Rabbani was hearing the suo motu case and other two constitutional petitions filed on the prevailing situation of Karachi by ASC Tariq Asad and Watan Party.
Dr Babar Awan represented the federation. Abdul Hafeez Pirzada appeared on behalf of Sindh Chief Minister. Sindh High Court Bar Association President Anwar Mansoor and Asma Jahangir President Supreme Court Bar Association, Sindh Chief Secretary, Inspector General of Police Sindh Wajid Durrani were also present in the court. Iftikhar Gilani also appeared on behalf of President of Awami National Party Asfandyar Wali Khan and contended that ANP wanted to become party to the case.
Federation counsel Babar Awan raised objection and contended that functionaries are sacrificing their lives to maintain law and order situation in Karachi. So the court observation relating to Karachi situation was not correct. He added that the court should not express depressing attitude about Pakistan because masses take its observation quite seriously.
The CJP observed: "If we want to save the country, we must control the deteriorating law and order situation in Karachi." He added that the SC should be informed how many dead bodies of innocent people were wrapped in sacks, whereas how many human bodies were drilled and how many human organ were removed and how many people were taken into police custody so far. Jusitce Ghulam Rabbani said in his remarks, "Everybody knows that who is behind the target killing in Karachi."
Sindh Advocate General Fateh Muhammad presented before the bench two report on behalf of Chief Secretary and IGP Sindh. According to the reports, 500 FIRs were registered relating to recent violence in Karachi, while 232 cases were registered and 306 people have been killed in one month. Advocate General Sindh was directed to submit copies of Daily Situation Reports (DSR) from July 24 to 23 August and the briefs of the FIRs in next hearing. The IGP Sindh was ordered to proceed against the troublemakers across the board, irrespective of their affiliations, and provide detail of police stations and the crimes, took place there and the manner people are being killed there.
Justice Tariq Pervaiz said that there were many cases which were not reported and which, if reported, would increase the number of cases. The IGP and Secretary also appeared, but the Chief Justice told them that it was clearly written in the notice that their presence in the court was not required and therefore has asked the Advocate General to represent them.
AGP informed the court that he had tried to contact all intelligence agencies' heads but was able to discuss FIA and IB only who claimed that Karachi unrest case is a matter of provincial jurisdiction. The CJP expressed annoyance and said that it is unjustified to declare the matter as provincial or central issue because Karachi peace should be considered mandatory for the country's development, adding that one-day staging of strike in Karachi witnesses Rs 25 billion loss. So the matter should not be taken lightly.
The CJ observed that the AG should have consulted the ISI, military intelligence and Intelligence Bureau for getting complete picture on Karachi. The Chief Justice observed that for the last one month situation in Karachi has been out of control and there was complete breakdown of the government machinery.
On the occasion, the Sindh Advocate General said that a man confessed to perish 100 people was acquitted due to want of evidence. The Chief Justice said the court convicts when there are proofs. Justice Shakirullah Jan inquired whether any appeal against the acquittal had been filed in the competent court of law, adding that evidence production in the courts was sole responsibility of the police and the law enforcement agencies.
The CJP said that the court could ask the Chief Justice of Sindh High Court to expeditiously dispose of the cases of target killings in case the police submit challan in the cases, adding that challan should be brought in the court as well as the judges should also be provided security so that administration of justice could be ensured.
Hafeez Pirzada pleaded that the court has no solution to the Karachi issue, adding that Army deployment was not a solution for durable peace in Karachi but every segment of the society has to play its role. He prayed for more time to place some important documents. The CJP said, "We are concerned that Article 9 is strictly adhered".
Justice Tariq Pervaiz said that there was law and order issue in economic hub of the country but no tangible effort took place to resolve the issue. The CJP observed that three major political parties have approached the court, adding that the court has to examine whether the trouble in Karachi was being created from within the territory or from outside.
The Chief Justice noted that target killings was also being witnessed in other provinces but for the last one month the Karachi situation has worsened and prima facie the executive had failed as almost daily dead bodies in sacks are found in various part of the city. He said the SC bench is ready to sit on Saturday to hear this case so there was no question of Eid holidays. The CJP said while addressing the AGP: "The bench would conduct hearing day and night to resolve the case of worsening situation in Karachi."
Anwar Mansoor, President of SHCBA, informed the court about the killing of a Barrister in his chamber. He said it was pointblank murder. Police were aware who had killed the barrister but the FIR was registered against unknown persons. He said that 19 lawyers have been killed in one month. The court issued notices on the petition of ASC Tariq Asad who made Prime Minister, Interior Minister and some other government functionaries on Karachi situation as respondents. The court adjourned the hearing till August 29.