SC bench issues interim order over Taliban influx in Karachi

The Supreme Court's larger bench in an interim order has directed the police and other law enforcement agencies to look into complaints regarding "influx of Taliban" in Karachi.

The growing presence and influence of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban in Pakistan's biggest city and financial hub has been acknowledged during hearings of the Supreme Court larger bench.

The issue came under discussion several times during the hearings of the five-member bench in Karachi.

The bench yesterday in its interim order directed the police and other law enforcement agencies to look into complaints regarding "influx of Taliban into the city of Karachi" .

It also directed them to take all possible measures to meet any challenge, which may be faced by the citizens of Karachi due to such illegal immigration of foreigners and Taliban, who are reportedly armed with sophisticated weapons.

Expressing its dissatisfaction with the performance of the provincial Sindh government and related law enforcement and intelligence agencies, the bench also took serious notice to a decision by the provincial government nine years ago to release on parole 35 prisoners who were under trial on charges of committing "heinous offences".

It called for issuance of non-bailable warrants for arrest of the 35 absconders.

The bench that included Justices Anwar Zaheer Jamali, Khilji Arif Hussain, Sarmad Jalal Osmany, Amir Hani Muslim and Gulzar Ahmed throughout the hearings kept on referring to the threat posed by the Taliban in Karachi.

The bench also observed that law and order situation had deteriorated in the city in last 18 months with an increase in target killings, kidnappings and street crimes.

The interim order of the SC bench came one day after 'The News International' daily newspaper reported the presence and threat by the Taliban in the city.

The order also comes a day after the banned outfit threatened to target leaders of the single largest party in Karachi, the Mutthaida Qaumi Movement.

... contd.

ALSO READ

Texting while driving?

Violence grips Bangladesh as Islamists demand stricter blasphemy law

David Cameron warned: 'Shed elitist image'

Prince William may give up his role as search and rescue pilot after becoming father