Contempt proceedings for not ending 'NO GO' areas: Supreme Court refers Afaq's petition to SHC

The Supreme Court o Tuesday referred Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi (MQM-H) petition to Sindh High Court, seeking initiation of contempt proceedings against the provincial government for not abolishing the 'No Go' areas in Karachi despite court's orders. A four-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry observed that the court had not delivered its final judgement in Karachi target killing case, therefore, contempt proceedings could not be initiated in the matter.
The bench held that the petitioner, MQM-H Chief Afaq Ahmad, could approach Sindh High Court's Chief Justice as he was monitoring the implementation of the court's orders in the target killings' case.
The bench, however, said that if the petitioner did not find himself satisfied, he could again approach the apex court. Upon this, Afaq said he had no objection over it. Meanwhile, talking to media persons after hearing of the case, Afaq Ahmad said the government still had not abolished the 'No Go' areas in Karachi and no political opponent could dare enter those areas.
He said everything was being done under the supervision of the government and direction of one political party. He said that despite the fact present law and order situation was better in Karachi, Home Minister Sindh had suggested him to shift to Lahore. Afaq maintained that the concerned authorities were not proceeding against the political party, which was involved in terrorist activities, because it was scared that their government might end. He said MQM had got the public mandate on gunpoint and the terrorists were moving freely everywhere. Afaq asserted that the cases of MQM workers closed under NRO had not yet been reopened, adding that peace could be maintained in Karachi through de-weaponisation.