SC reserves judgment on Karachi

Supreme Court (SC) Karachi registry has completed the hearing and reserved judgment in suo motu case of Karachi violence.
A 5-member bench of SC presided over by the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and comprising Justice Ghulam Rabbani, Justice Amir Hani Muslim, Justice Anwar Zahir Jamali and Justice Sarmad Jalal Usmani heard the suo motu case in Karachi registry.
CJP remarked situation is worsening day by day. “We have told repeatedly that every unconstitutional process should cease to exist. We want to tell all that nothing is acceptable other than rule of law and democracy in this country”, he further remarked.
He observed that judiciary had buried dictatorship and if any attempt was made to wrap up courts, then every thing would stand undone.
CJP directed Advocate General (AG) Sindh and police to inform the court about the steps taken against the criminals on daily basis adding that the report should be submitted to Justice Anwar Zahir Jamali.
The court said in its order that the local courts should complete the cases of extortion and target killings as soon as possible. Police personnel are killed but nothing has been done by the government.
CJP asked “This is issue of crime and where lies any room for dialogue in this matter”. It is the best opportunity to render good decision, he added.
Babar Awan said “we are holding dialogue and we will continue to hold dialogue. Government has controlled the situation to considerable extent.”
CJP said that political things be left aside and court be informed about its constitutional solution.
Additional IG Karachi Saud Mirza told that incidents of extortion of money had gone down and police had arrested 2 extortionists.
CJP ordered Additional IG to obtain written certificates from all the four subordinate DIGs to the effect that crimes of extortion of money had been overcome.
Justice Sarmad Jalal Usmani remarked that arms licenses are not needed in US. CJP inquired from AG Sindh that how he would deal with issue of hides, as this issue is likely to be put up.
Justice Sarmad Jalal Usmani said in his remarks “we have come to know a chit inscribed with the remarks “give hide of animal to us or give your own hide” is issued.”
CJP directed AG Sindh to approach government for enactment of legislation against collecting hides.
CJP inquired from Babar Awan “ Tell the court if peace has been established in the city. 1300 people have been killed. But what has been done in this respect”.
CJP observed ministers tendered resignations in neighbouring country India against unconstitutional steps. Government should learn lesson from it, he further observed.
Babar Awan said government had not fully failed in Karachi and it had faced failure in certain matters.
Upon it CJP remarked “we abolish the suo motu notice and then you assure that peace will prevail. Criminals have been given free hand since the last 20 years in the city, he further remarked.
The court has reserved the judgement.