KARACHI: In the Karachi law and order case written order issued by the Supreme Court on Friday, the court pinned the blame on the federal government’s lack of interest in the city’s current situation, DawnNews reported.

The written order pointed out that none of the apex court’s earlier orders had been implemented. The federal government in particular did nothing to gain control over the law and order situation in Karachi, the order added.

The order further stated that no action had been taken against illegal immigrants in the city. It pointed out that according to a Sindh High Court report, approximately 400 police officials were themselves involved in stoking the urban violence. Yet, the order said, no action had been taken against them either.

Pointing towards the federal government once again, the six-page order said that the government had not taken any measures to ensure security for the business community in the city either.

The court directed the advocate general to submit a report next week in the court, detailing economic activities in Karachi.

The order also stated that witnesses in Karachi killings were not being provided protection as had been previously directed by the court in the law and order case.

Earlier in the day, the apex court summoned the Director General of the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to appear in court for the next hearing over the Karachi Law and order case on Feb 25, DawnNews reported.

A bench of the apex court headed by Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja resumed the hearing over the case at SC’s Karachi registry.

During the hearing Justice Khilji Arif Hussain giving his remarks said that the public did not have confidence in the police as it was politically inclined. Inspector General (IG) Sindh police Fayyaz Leghari said that a sum of Rs 10 million had been allotted for ensuring protection to witnesses.

Justice Khilji then asked how the police could protect the witnesses when it could not protect its own personnel. He further said that numerous businessmen had closed their businesses following the court’s decision because police are unable to investigate or collect evidence.

Justice Khilji questioned the performance of the intelligence agencies over the targeting of police personnel in bomb attacks.

The counsel for the  IG Sindh said that 127 police personnel had lost their lives in the line of duty and suspects had been identified in 35 of the cases. He also said that five suspects had been killed in encounters and challans had been submitted in 69 of the cases.

Leghari and his counsel told the bench that 182 target killers had been taken custody, especially those belonging to outlawed organisations, which could be a possible reason for the surge in attacks on the police.

Justice Khawaja said that there were 1.4 million immigrants in Karachi. He inquired about the number of illegal immigrants who had returned to their native country and as to how it was possible for Nadra to identify the unregistered immigrants.

The counsel for the IG Sindh informed the court that federal government had extended for six months the stay of 1.25 million immigrants.

The court summoned the Director General of Nadra for the next hearing over the case which was adjourned until Feb 25.