32 Target Killers Arrested, CCPO Karachi tells Sindh High Court

Majority of these cases have been disposed of as “A” class (untraced)

Karachi ( Weeklyspecialreport.com)
Police have been taking a number of steps to control the incidents of targeted killing in the city and 32 suspects involved in such incidents have been arrested during this year, Capital City Police Officer told Sindh High Court on Friday.

The court was hearing a petition seeking an inquiry into the targeted killings in the city as well as removing no-go areas and launching operation for the recovery of illegal weapons in the city. Human Rights Commission South Asia’s representative Syed Iqbal Kazmi, referring to 450 targeted killings of political activists in the city during the first six months of 2009,
He said 95 people were killed and 50 injured, while 65 vehicles and public properties set blaze in the days following the murders of MQM’s MPA Raza Haider and his guard on August 2. He claimed when the representatives of the MQM, ANP and PPP signed the ten-point code of conduct for maintaining law and order in the city, they indicated their involvement in the incidents of killings. submitted that Article 9 of the Constitution guarantees protection to citizens, while Article 4 assures that every individual has the right to be dealt with in accordance with the law. The petitioner has prayed the court to order the production of reports of intelligence agencies working under the control of provincial and federal governments as well as conducting an inquiry based on these reports. 

Filing comments on the petition, CCPO Fayaz Ahmed Leghari, referring to the cases as mentioned in the petition from January 2009 to July 2009, said that all cases except two were registered against unidentified persons and majority of these cases have been disposed of as “A” class (untraced), as the accused in those cases were not nominated by the complainants in the FIRs. Even during the investigation, no witnesses came forward to give any evidence against the accused involved in those target killing incidents, he added. The CCPO further said that 5,659 illegal weapons were recovered and 5,514 accused were arrested and charge sheeted last year, while this year 4,521 illegal weapons have been recovered and 4,481 accused arrested. 

SHC’s division bench headed by Chief Justice Sarmad Jalal Osmany directed the provincial law officer to submit the report of targeted killings in 2010 and adjourned the hearing.
FULL STATEMENT

BEFORE THE HONOURABLE HIGH COURT OF SINDH,KARACHI

CRIMINAL PETITION NO.D-1554 OF 2009

Mohammad Iqbal Kazmi………………………………………….petitioner.

VERSUS
Federation of Pakistan & other ………………………………….Respondents.

PARA WISE COMMENTS BY RESPONDENT NO.05 CAPITAL CITY POLICE OFFICER, KARACHI.

It is respectfully submitted that the reply/comments are as under:

Para No: 1- No comments as not concerned.

Para No: 2- No comments as not concerned.

Para No: 3- It is submitted that the total number of target killing stated by the petitioner in this Para is incorrect. According to petitioner 445 people were killed in indents of targets killing from 1st January 2009 to 30th July 2009 whereas as per police record 159 people were killed in the incidents of target killing during the whole year of 2009.

Para No: 4- The contention of petitioner regarding the existence of no-go areas in Karachi is incorrect. Reports were also obtained from all zonal DIGs who reported that there was no no-go area in Karachi. The allegation is false and not based on facts.

Para No: 5- No comments as not concerned.

Para No: 6- The petitioner has mention 54 cases of target killing incidents that occurred from 1st January 2009 to 30th June 2009. Excepts two, all those cases were registered against the unknown accused. Amongst the cases mentioned by the petitioner, the cases FIR No: 175/09 u/s 302/324/34 PPC dated 20 June 2009 PS Saudabad & case FIR No: 150/09/u/s 302/324 /34 PPC dated 07 June 2009 PS Bilal Colony have already been challenged and accused Habib-ur Rehman & Furqan Qadri were arrested in those cases respectively. However the majority of these cases have been disposed off as “A” class (untraced) as the accused in those cases were not nominated by the complainants in the FIR. Even during the investigation, no witnesses came forward to give any evidence against the accused involved in those target killing incidents.
Similarly the investigation of the 54 cases mentioned by the petitioner is also being closely monitored. The progress of investigation of these cases is attached herewith as annexure-“A” to “C” However the zonal DIGs as well as DIG investigation have been further directed to coordinate with Intelligence Agencies personally to obtain actionable intelligence for the arrest of accused involved in those cases.
It’s pertinent to mention here that all the law enforcement agencies including Police and Rangers as well as the intelligence agencies are already in close coordination for developing information for the arrest of accused involved in target killing cases.

Para No: 7- No comments as not concerned.

Para No: 8- The allegation of the petitioner is denied. The police department has not made any false cases against any political person.

PRAYER
It is prayed before this Honorable Court that police has already taken a number of steps to control the incidents of target killing in Karachi.32 accused involved in target killing cases have been arrested during the current year 2010. Besides 19 accused involved in target killing cases of the year 2009 were arrested and were challenged. Measures have also been taken to encourage witnesses to provide information to police in such cases. Preventive strange has also been improved for controlling target killing incidents which included interface deployment of police between different ethnic groups as well as deployment of Rapid Response force at sensitive points to immediately respond in cases of emergency. Moreover there is regular exchange of information between Police, Rangers and Intelligence Agencies for the arrest of accused involved in target killing. Beside this action against illegal weapons has also been enhanced. During the year 2009, 5659 illegal weapons were recovered and 5514 accused were arrested and challenged. Besides this during the years 2010, 4521 illegal weapons were recovered and 4481 accused were arrested and challenged.



(FAYYAZ AHMED LEGHARI) PSP
Capital City Police Officer, Karachi
RESPONDENT NO : 05

 

TARGET KILLING CASES DURING THE YEAR 2009 AS MENTIONED IN C.P NO# 1554/ 2009

Will be continue............

Role of Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) is to provide back up support when required by the Police(DG)
BEFORE THE HONOURABLE HIGH COURT OF SINDH,KARACHI

CRIMINAL PETITION NO.D-1554 OF 2009

Mohammad Iqbal Kazmi………………………………………….petitioner.

VERSUS
Federation of Pakistan & other ………………………………….Respondents.

PARA WISE COMMENTS ON BEHALF OF RESPONDENT NO.03

It is respectfully submitted on behalf of Director General Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) (as responded no:3) before Honorable Court that the petitioner has no grievances against Pakistan Rangers (Sindh).
The role of Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) is to provide back up support when required by the Police of the Government of Sindh as specified by the Government of Sindh vide notification No: SO (LE=1)/HD-6-66/1995 dated 10 September 2009 (Copy attached).

PRAYER
It is therefore, requested in the Honorable Court that representative of Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) may please be exempted for further appearance before the Court .

For and on behalf of Respondent No:# 3

Major
Station Karachi For Director General
Dated:02 June 2010 Pakistan Rangers (Sindh)
(Shah Jehan)