Law & order in Karachi: CJP sees no need for deployment of army troops

Supreme Court of Pakistan Monday turned down a request by the counsel for Awami National Party (ANP) to order deployment of Army in Karachi under Article 147 of Constitution to end targeted killings, observing the law enforcement and intelligence agencies personnel were capable enough to handle the situation.
The five-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, ordered the IG Sindh Police to place on record details of torture cells set up in Karachi and take indiscriminate action against criminals. The court also assured him that the judiciary would fully back an indiscriminate action against criminals.
When the bench resumed hearing of a suo motu case on targeted killings in Karachi, President Sindh High Court Bar Association Anwar Mansoor Khan submitted that three accused were arrested by police in the case pertaining to murder of Advocate Murtaza Chinoy. He stated that it was not an act of targeted killing but the murder was based on personal enmity.
Appearing on behalf of Awami National Party, advocate and former Law Minister Iftikhar Gillani submitted that killings in Karachi needed to be thoroughly investigated. Refuting reports compiled by Sindh Police Chief showing targeted killings as a result of a deep ethnic divide, Gillani said the word "ethnic" was introduced by a political party which came into existence in 1986. There is no ethnic divide because Urdu is a national language spoken across the country. He also dispelled the impression of a gang war in any part of the metropolis, saying drug barons, land grabbers and extortion mafia are behind the incidents of targeted killings.
Criticising Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik for his statement that people in Karachi being murdered because of their girl friends, Gillani said everyone knew who was involved in such killings as all facts were clearly mentioned in investigation reports compiled by Joint Investigation Team which comprises officers of ISI, MI, IB, Pakistan Rangers Sindh, Police Special Branch and Crime Investigation Agency. He stated that May 12, 2007 mayhem in Karachi could not be ignored and the same elements were behind recent targeted killings. He said protecting life, property of citizens was prime duty of government but it lacks political will to do so. He said recent statements of ex-Senior Sindh Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza about Karachi could not be overlooked and prayed to order Army to control law, order situation in Karachi. He said Army should be called under Article 147 so that administrative powers continue to remain with provincial government instead of Article 245, which deprives a political set up of such powers.
Turning down the counsel's request for Army deployment, Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry observed: "When police, Rangers and other intelligence agencies are capable to control things, then why their abilities should not be employed for this purpose? We have already given a wake-up call to government. Our duty is to implement the Constitution." Sindh Police Chief Wajid Ali Durrani submitted progress report, stating that three target killers were arrested in five days. One of them had confessed before the police that he had killed five people. Besides, 421 raids were conducted in various parts of city, where an operation against criminals was continuing. Thirty police stations had been identified where a law and order situation could take place. Eighty-nine police officers had already been replaced by efficient officers.
On arrest of target killers confirmed in light of investigation reports prepared by JITs, IG said all JIT reports were sent to concerned DSPs and SHOs to arrest criminals. It will take time, according to him. He said protection had been provided to Imran, whom the target killers threw away in gunny bag after they thought he was dead. The statements of all the 18 people, who were released after abduction by criminals, had also recorded and FIRs lodged.
Durrani said Karachi situation will take time to improve, as things could not be corrected overnight. According to him, he assumed office two months ago during which a visible improvement in law and order was witnessed in the interior parts of province but the Karachi situation undermined the whole performance.
Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry again rejected his report and asked him to get statements of arrested target killers recorded before a Magistrate instead of police, which were not admissible evidence in court. The Chief Justice asked the IG to disclose further details of arrested criminals and said: "Mr Durrani you are running short of time. We can't sit here for long time. We are supporting you. We are backing you. But, end this politics drama and depute those officers who can deliver. This is high time." Apex court directed IGP Sindh to submit DVDs containing video footages of torture cells available at video-sharing web sites, determine areas & arrest criminals. He also called details of investigation reports compiled by JITs Hearing was adjourned till September 06, 2011 at 09:30 am.