KARACHI – The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday directed the interior secretary, home secretary and Sindh inspector general of police (IGP) to submit detailed reports on targeted killings at a date to be fixed later. A division bench headed by Chief Justice Mushir Alam was hearing a constitutional petition filed by Human Rights Commission South Asia (HRCSA) representative Iqbal Kazmi, seeking to end targeted killings in Karachi.
On behalf of the Pakistan Rangers Sindh director general (DG), a Rangers inspector appeared before the court and submitted a report, which, mentioning a notification issued by the Sindh government in 1995, said that the Rangers have been providing back up to the police in maintaining law and order. HRCSA’s Kazmi had previously submitted that despite being directed several times by the court, the respondents have yet to submit their reports on the ongoing targeted killings.
He pleaded the court for taking strict measures and directing the respondents to submit their reports in this regard. He submitted that some 54 people were killed in June last year. “The government has failed to provide protection to the citizens as targeted killings claimed 445 lives from January 2009 to June 2009 in different parts of the city,” he added.
He cited the interior secretary, home secretary, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) DG, Intelligence Bureau DG, Sindh chief secretary, Pakistan Rangers Sindh DG, Sindh IGP, Karachi Capital City Police officer, Anti-Violent Crime Cell, Muttahida Qaumi Movement Member of the Provincial Assembly Raza Haroon, Awami National Party Sindh president and others as respondents.
He implored the court for ordering the respondents to submit in court entire records of targeted killings, and issuing orders to arrest all the elements involved in the incidents. He also asked for providing protection to the citizens and launch perations across the city against illegal weapons.
On Wednesday, the court directed the respondents to submit their reports, and adjourned the hearing until the next date to be set later by the court.
FROM THE COURTROOM – SHC seeks reports on targeted killings
