| Customs told to tell how many of 19,000 missing containers contained arms | Govt presents plan for checking smuggling of drugs, arms
KARACHI - The Supreme Court on Friday issued an interim order in Karachi law and order implementation case and ordered Customs officials to investigate the matter of missing 19,000 containers.
Heading a three-judge bench, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry remarked that drug business was running under the nose of ANF Director General Maj-Gen Zafar Abbas, and he bashed the officer over his misconduct.
In its interim order, the court directed Customs officials to inform how many containers from among the 19,000 missing containers contained arms. The court also ordered the authorities concerned to investigate about weapons coming into the port city through legal ways.
The order outlined a two phase investigation process. The first was to investigate weapons dealers and determine what weapons were ordered by them, for what purpose. The second was to investigate what licensed gun owners are using their weapons for, to determine where and when each bullet they purchase was used.
It is responsibility of Customs to see for what purpose the legal arms are being brought into Karachi, the bench said. Police and Rangers should also investigate it in second phase and conduct door to door checking of legally imported arms and take action against the license holders if they have committed any violations. They must also check for what purpose the licensed holders purchased the bullets and where did they use them, the court added.
The court's order said intelligence agencies should work under one agenda for restoration of writ of the government in Karachi. It also directed federal secretaries of interior, anti-narcotics, revenue and finance to extend cooperation to Sindh government and present the report on implementation of orders on next hearing. The court also sought report on implementation of orders from ANF within seven days, besides summoning FIA director along with record of foreign exchange cases.
At the inception of hearing Attorney General Munir A Malik presented federal government’s report on curbing arms and drugs’ smuggling and duty evasion. He told the court the report has been worked out keeping in view the reports of Shoaib Suddal Commission and Ramzan Bhatti Commission. Two scanners have been installed at Port Qasim to scan the container, he added. Scanning process of every container costs Rs 4,000, he informed. Customs Collectors and Assistant Collectors will check five containers of each lot for themselves in future, he said.
The court expressed dissatisfaction over arms report presented by Customs authorities. Justice Gulzar remarked report has been prepared by some Babu rather than by any bureaucrat. Addressing Anti Narcotic Force (ANF) DG Maj-Gen Zafar Abbas, CJP remarked "Gen Sahib, the entire country has been handed over to you. Had you given results you would not have to appear in the court today.”
Addressing the AG, CJP observed "Malik Sahib, all things are going on under his (ANF DG’s) nose. It seems as if General Sahib is expert at playing politics. He should not indulge himself in such things. The CJP said to the DG, "We know no one will let you work as per law. Discharge your obligations in line with law and do not care anyone. If you do so they (the political bosses) will transfer you at the maximum. How many people they will transfer? If one will go, another will come.
The Attorney General informed the court that the federal government has decided to launch a joint operation against arms and drugs within 15 days. He said the joint operation would be carried out over the reports of Customs intelligence and other organisations. In his report, the AG also told the court that Ranger check post have been established at entry and exit point of Karachi, including Hub Chowki, Toll Plaza, to keep an eye on smugglers.
In his written report filed to the court, ANF DG laid out a plan of action for the operation and indicated the affected areas of the metropolis – Sohrab Goth, Banaras and Lyari – affirming that the force would go to any extent to cleanse the city of drugs. The bench expressed its satisfaction over the new action plan. The CJP said in his remarks, "Thank God, work is being done now! ... We just want the rule of law, and nothing else."
Earlier, the bench suspended SSP Investigation East, Junaid Shaikh for remaining absent. Junaid was due to appear in the court to present the investigation report on Shera Pathan murder case. Shera was a member of Arshad Pappu gang.
Heading a three-judge bench, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry remarked that drug business was running under the nose of ANF Director General Maj-Gen Zafar Abbas, and he bashed the officer over his misconduct.
In its interim order, the court directed Customs officials to inform how many containers from among the 19,000 missing containers contained arms. The court also ordered the authorities concerned to investigate about weapons coming into the port city through legal ways.
The order outlined a two phase investigation process. The first was to investigate weapons dealers and determine what weapons were ordered by them, for what purpose. The second was to investigate what licensed gun owners are using their weapons for, to determine where and when each bullet they purchase was used.
It is responsibility of Customs to see for what purpose the legal arms are being brought into Karachi, the bench said. Police and Rangers should also investigate it in second phase and conduct door to door checking of legally imported arms and take action against the license holders if they have committed any violations. They must also check for what purpose the licensed holders purchased the bullets and where did they use them, the court added.
The court's order said intelligence agencies should work under one agenda for restoration of writ of the government in Karachi. It also directed federal secretaries of interior, anti-narcotics, revenue and finance to extend cooperation to Sindh government and present the report on implementation of orders on next hearing. The court also sought report on implementation of orders from ANF within seven days, besides summoning FIA director along with record of foreign exchange cases.
At the inception of hearing Attorney General Munir A Malik presented federal government’s report on curbing arms and drugs’ smuggling and duty evasion. He told the court the report has been worked out keeping in view the reports of Shoaib Suddal Commission and Ramzan Bhatti Commission. Two scanners have been installed at Port Qasim to scan the container, he added. Scanning process of every container costs Rs 4,000, he informed. Customs Collectors and Assistant Collectors will check five containers of each lot for themselves in future, he said.
The court expressed dissatisfaction over arms report presented by Customs authorities. Justice Gulzar remarked report has been prepared by some Babu rather than by any bureaucrat. Addressing Anti Narcotic Force (ANF) DG Maj-Gen Zafar Abbas, CJP remarked "Gen Sahib, the entire country has been handed over to you. Had you given results you would not have to appear in the court today.”
Addressing the AG, CJP observed "Malik Sahib, all things are going on under his (ANF DG’s) nose. It seems as if General Sahib is expert at playing politics. He should not indulge himself in such things. The CJP said to the DG, "We know no one will let you work as per law. Discharge your obligations in line with law and do not care anyone. If you do so they (the political bosses) will transfer you at the maximum. How many people they will transfer? If one will go, another will come.
The Attorney General informed the court that the federal government has decided to launch a joint operation against arms and drugs within 15 days. He said the joint operation would be carried out over the reports of Customs intelligence and other organisations. In his report, the AG also told the court that Ranger check post have been established at entry and exit point of Karachi, including Hub Chowki, Toll Plaza, to keep an eye on smugglers.
In his written report filed to the court, ANF DG laid out a plan of action for the operation and indicated the affected areas of the metropolis – Sohrab Goth, Banaras and Lyari – affirming that the force would go to any extent to cleanse the city of drugs. The bench expressed its satisfaction over the new action plan. The CJP said in his remarks, "Thank God, work is being done now! ... We just want the rule of law, and nothing else."
Earlier, the bench suspended SSP Investigation East, Junaid Shaikh for remaining absent. Junaid was due to appear in the court to present the investigation report on Shera Pathan murder case. Shera was a member of Arshad Pappu gang.
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