The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP), in line with its ongoing suo motu action against a deteriorated law and order situation in this violence-hit metropolis, has asked the banks and development finance institutions (DFIs) for details of the misuse of the automated teller machines (ATMs) by offenders.
The apex court ordered this after Sindh Inspector General Police Wajid Ali Durrani told a larger bench of the SCP during its September 9th hearing that: “Certain hurdles including delays in getting the required data/video footage with respect to the ATMs”. In line with the court order, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) through issuing a circular on Monday asked the banks and DFIs to submit the required data at the earliest.
“All banks and DFIs are hereby advised that in cases where the offenders have misused the ATM cards of their victims, they shall provide the data/video footage in respect to ATMs, without delay, through a focal person upon provision of FIR from concerned investigating agency,” said BPRD Circular No: 10 issued by the regulator on Monday.
It said during the hearing of the case, captioned “Suo Motu Action Regarding Law & Order Situation in Karachi”, by the larger bench of the Honourable Supreme Court of Pakistan the inspector general police had pointed out certain hurdles including delays in getting the required data or video footages with respect to the ATMs.
A larger bench of the superior court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry is conducting almost daily hearings to review and fix responsibility for a poor law and order situation in this volatile city where an apparent politically-motivated violence has so far caused incalculable damages to the life and properties of Karachiites for last several months.
