Karachi suo moto: Land encroachment main reason of unrest, SC

KARACHI: The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) continued hearing the Karachi law and order suo moto judgment implementation case Thursday and remarked that the encroachments and land grabbing are the main reasons behind the unrest in the city, Geo News reported.

A five-judge larger bench headed by Anwar Zaher Jamali was hearing the case at SC’s Karachi Registry today.

During today’s hearing, the court issued the contempt notices to Chief Secretary Sindh, Director Master Plan Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), senior member of Board of Revenue and Director Survey.

Chief Secretary Sindh and Director Master Plan KMC were issued notices over not conducting the land survey despite Sindh High Court’s directives. Advocate General Sindh requested the bench to not issue the show cause notice to the Chief Secretary.

The court also summoned the ailing senior member of Board of Revenue in the next hearing who is currently on sick leave. The court also instructed the advocate general to provide the list of all the Board of Revenue members.

The KMC presented a report before the SC bench regarding the districts and towns of Karachi. Justice Gulzar remarked that the corporation sold the area that was dedicated for citizens’ leisure and amusement and did not leave any space for children’s play area as well. The records did not include the names of actual landowners who are missing.

Election Commission Sindh apprised the court that no census has been carried out in Sindh so far nor the federation has issued any report on the matter.

On Wednesday, the judges reprimanded Sindh Advocate General (AG) on his reply to a court’s query about the death toll in Karachi death, as he tersely said ‘today’s score is six’.

Justice Sarmad Jalal Usmani after the AG’s reply angrily said that was the people’s death match scoring—whether fours and sixers were being hit here?

Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali said that the menace of extortion has increased to such an extent that the areas have been divided-- no go areas exist on political basis-- one political worker cannot go to another’s territory—this year more strikes and extortion incidents occurred—the trader are being targeted—no trader or industrialist is safe—hardly there is one who is not paying extortion money.

DG Rangers, when questioned by Justice Anwar Zaher Jamali, told the court that we have deployed additional force for the morning and evening and immediate action is being taken on information about criminals.

Justice Amir Hani Muslim intervening said that you catch hold of the criminals and hand them over to the police, neither you can register the report nor present the charge sheet, this gives them a way out. He further inquired what steps had been taken for the security of the industrialists---whether you have any pressure or difficulty?

Justice Arif Khilji on one occasion addressing Sindh IG said that unfortunately inept people are recruited everywhere---meritorious persons do not get a chance. Sindh IG told the court that the police officer politically strong would not obey the orders—may be that officer can get you transferred.

Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali inquired whether the major reason of failure is political intervention—how many police officers possess confirmed political support?

Sindh IG replied that he has directed to prepare the service book of all the officers within a week.

Justice Anwar said that thousands of weapons holders have by now died, but their licenses are under use—issue advertisements for registering the weapons licenses—the licenses not registered in six month should be cancelled or imposed penalty. The quota of issuance of weapons’ 200 licenses to MPA and 300 to MNA is corruption—these people want to get their vote bank strengthened by issuing licenses—here murderers of 8/10 persons have also been issued licenses for weapons.

Additional chief secretary home, Wasim Ahmad told the court that chief minister’s weapon quota is unlimited.

Justice Khilji Arif addressing the additional chief secretary said that 1897 persons died in the current year—how can you say that law and order situation is beter—it is the duty of the police to provide security to the citizens—you have failed in this—it is not the duty of the citizen to obtain weapon and protect themselves.

Justice Amir Hani asked additional chief secretary to accept that you are yourself so weak that you do not want to control it—if your police gets right then the matter could be resolved.