News
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Suo motu case on target killings and violence in KarachiSC expresses concern over lack of facilities in ATCs
By Asghar Azad
KARACHI: The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) on Monday while addressing the Prosecutor General (PG) Sindh expressed extreme discontentment over the lack of facilities at the Anti-Terrorism Courts (ATCs) and irresponsible behaviour of Special Public Prosecutor Generals (SPPGs).
The SC also issued notices to the Sindh Chief Secretary, Sindh Law Secretary and Secretary Finance for appearing before the court on Tuesday (today).
A division bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali and Justice Sarmad Jalal Osmani, was hearing a suo moto case on target killings and violence in Karachi.
PG Sindh Shahadat Awan, Inspector General Police (IGP) Sindh Wajid Ali Durrani and other concerned police officials were also present in the court.
IGP Durrani appeared before the court, amidst the proceedings, to produce progress report pertaining to target killings and violence of Karachi.
As Durrani started to present his report, Justice Jamali interrupted him and said, “You had been directed by this court for submitting a comprehensive report about 25 percent cases of target killings that have been discharged under A-class; have you brought the report?”
Addressing the PG Sindh, Justice Jamali expressed his extreme discontentment over the situation of courts and said, “The anti-terrorism courts are conducting very sensitive cases and here in the court room there is insufficient distance between the judge and the accused men”. He said, “You know any mishap can occur with the judges here”.
Justice Jamali further said, “We have come to know that basic facilities, including drinking water and electricity, are not available in the ATCs while the prosecutors carry a bad behaviour”.
He further said, “The prosecutors who were appointed at the ATCs were ineligible” adding that if the PG had not been involved in the appointments of the SPPGs than how is it comprehendible that they were appointed on merit.
Justice Osmani in his remarks said that it was observed by the court that system of prosecution is being run on ad hocism and not on permanent basis. He said the government, despite having enough budget, was not willing to do anything without court’s orders.
IGP Durrani sought time for producing the report with desired statistics. The court granted his request and directed to submit the report on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the PG Sindh Awan appeared and stated that the provincial Law Department appointed few SPPGs while 92 posts are until vacant across Sindh. He added that the appointment of SPPGs very fruitful for disposing off the cases.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk