Pakistan's Supreme Court today held law enforcement agencies responsible for deteriorating law and order in Karachi amid calls by the MQM for deploying the army in the country's largest city.
At least seven persons were killed and three others severely injured in violent incidents in the bustling port city today.
A larger bench resumed hearing a case pertaining to the implementation of an order passed two years ago after the apex court had taken suo moto notice of the security situation in Karachi.
The court has been directing federal and provincial authorities to take effective measures to end the "senseless" killing in the city.
During the hearing, Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry demanded to know how citizens could be protected when the security personnel could not protect themselves.
Rizwan Akhtar, head of the Pakistan Rangers in Sindh who was summoned by the court, blamed the unrest on armed wings of political parties, saying they were on a killing spree.
Akhtar said it was necessary to eliminate these groups. He told the court that the Rangers had limited powers as they could arrest criminals, but not investigate crimes properly.
He added that those arrested were soon bailed out of prison.
"In the past 10 months, 28 Rangers personnel have been killed and 55 seriously injured in clashes," he said.
The Supreme Court said correspondence between executives of the federal and provincial governments over the past two years should be submitted at the next hearing.
Attorney General Munir Malik was also summoned to court. Expressing his displeasure and dissatisfaction over the conduct of provincial authorities and law enforcement agencies, the Chief Justice adjourned the case till tomorrow.
Taking notice of the worsening situation, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today decided to convene a special meeting of his cabinet in Karachi on September 2 or 3 to discuss the situation in the city.
Sindh Governor Ishratul Ebad Khan, Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, ISI chief Lt Gen Zaheer-ul-Islam and police officials will attend the meeting, media reports said.
MQM chief Altaf Hussain has demanded that the army be deployed in Karachi to protect the lives and property of the Kutchi community. He said the Constitution allows the party to make such a demand.
