ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court referred to the Sindh High Court chief justice on Tuesday a petition filed by Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi chief Afaq Ahmed seeking initiation of contempt proceedings against the government for not removing “no-go areas” in Karachi.

An SC bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry observed that since the apex court had not come out with a final judgment in the Karachi target killing case, contempt proceedings could not be initiated.

The matter was referred to the SHC because its chief justice was monitoring the law and order situation in Karachi under an apex court’s order and if not satisfied, the bench said, the petitioner could approach it again.

Afaq Ahmed told reporters after the hearing that the government had not removed the “no-go areas” in Karachi and because of this no political opponent could dare enter these areas.

He admitted that the law and order situation had improved a bit in Karachi, but said the Sindh home minister had advised him to shift to Lahore. He accused the authorities concerned of not proceeding against a political party allegedly involved in terrorist activities in Karachi because of fear that they might lose its support in Sindh.

Mr Ahmed alleged that files of NRO beneficiaries had been removed from Sindh, adding that peace in Karachi would be restored only if the city was de-weaponised and verified weapons licences were issued.