ISLAMABAD - The Supreme Court of Pakistan Tuesday sought the list of National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) officials and the functions it performs for counter terrorism in the country.
A two-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Gulzar Ahmed issued the directions while he was hearing the suo motu notice on the target killing of Hazara community in Balochistan.
During the hearing, Additional Attorney General (AAG) informed that on the request of the Balochistan government, Muhammad Amir Ali and others’ names were placed on Fourth Schedule of Anti-Terrorist Act, 1997.
Amir Ali, Imran Ali, Mukhtar Hassan and Chengez Khan had gone missing in 2017, but were recovered this year in pursuance of the Supreme Court order. The recovered persons were working in various departments – Amir Ali in Sui Southern Gas Company Limited, Imran in Muslim Commercial Bank, Mukhtar in a private company and Chengez in Radio Pakistan.
On the last hearing, their families had informed the apex court that though their dear ones have returned home, and re-joined the organizations, where they were working previously but they are not being paid salaries, due to the NACTA order. The bench, therefore, had directed the departments to restore their salaries and summoned DG NACTA.
The AAG informed that on the request of the Balochistan government the names of four persons were placed on Fourth Schedule of Anti-Terrorist Act, 1997. He told that in the Review Board meeting, which will be held on 24th November, it would be decided whether to retain their names on the Fourth Schedule or not.
The AAG said that these individuals were declared proscribed and if they remain proscribed then their cases would be dealt under 11th Schedule of the Act. The Chief Justice said that as the government had removed so many persons’ names from 4th Schedule, then why cannot them?
Amir’s wife informed that the Balochistan High Court (BHC) on 11-08-2021 had directed the provincial government to remove the recovered persons from 4th Schedule. However, the additional advocate general Balochistan told that he does not have that order.
Justice Mazhar Alam Khan Miankhel questioned that why the provincial government has not complied the BHC order though four months have passed. He also questioned about the role, funds and strength of NACTA? He said that the Authority unnecessarily harass the citizens.
Asif Saifullah, a grade 21 officer working in NACTA, informed that the Authority issue the advisory and place people’s names, on the request of the federal or the provincial government, on the 4th Schedule and the NACTA website.
Chief Justice Gulzar said that an assistant can do this job. He added that why grade 21 officer’s service is required for this job. The Chief Justice directed the official to submit the details of the functions performed by NACTA officials to counter terrorism. Later, the bench deferred the hearing in the case for two weeks.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday directed Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to take action on report of Auditor General of Pakistan (AGP) regarding alleged irregularities in property units of Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB).
The bench instructed the Director General (DG) FIA to submit report with the bench regarding the 7143 property units of ETPB within one month.
A division bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Gulzar Ahmed passed the order during hearing the sumo motu case regarding the Kark Hindu Temple.
The top court ordered the AGP to complete the audit report over the property of ETPB within two months.
The chairman of the board was directed to ensure provision of all record to AGP in this regard.
At the outset of hearing, the apex court also directed the FIA to assist ETPB in evacuation of its property. The court also sought report over funds set up for the help of Peshawar Church affectees.
The lawyer of ETPB Akram Chaudhry adopted the stance that his department had submitted the property’s details on directives of the bench. The trust was owning a total of 48 thousands properties, he said.
Chairman Minority Commission, Shoaib Sadal informed the bench that an audit of the properties was also done in the past on directives of top court. Irregularities were found in 7143 properties in report of auditor general, he said, adding that the AGP was provided less than 50% record.
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police Sindh (IGP) produced the report on the directives of the court regarding an attack on minority leader Dr Ramesh Kumar. The report said the police had registered First Information Report (FIR) on application of Dr Ramesh Kumar.
However, Dr. Ramesh’s opponent Sajid Mehmood also appeared before the court and adopted the stance that he was serving as chief executive enterprises funds. He said he was neighbor of Dr. Ramesh Kumar, adding that Dr. Kumar and his guards harassed him. The Chief Justice observed that if they were neighbours then they should resolve the dispute with mutual discussion.
The hearing of the case was then adjourned for one month.