ISLAMABAD - The prime intelligence agencies responsible for national security and thwarting foreign designs against Pakistan have requested the Supreme Court to provide them an opportunity to give in-camera briefing at the chamber after March 5.
They want to brief the apex court on Balochistan law and order situation in-camera, just like they did in case of Karachi, because of the sensitive nature of the issue and foreign involvement.
Attorney General Maulvi Anwar-ul-Haq made the request on behalf of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Military Intelligence (MI) before a three-member bench, headed by Justice Shakirullah Jan, which heard the petition filed by Balochistan High Court Bar Association (on the continued targeted killings) and the assassination of Mir Bakhtiar Domki’s wife and daughter on Friday.
The Supreme Court directed the ISI and MI to submit a detailed report on the targeted killings and law and order situation in Balochistan by March 7, while agencies sought time for presenting the report.
The attorney general also submitted a written statement on behalf of ISI and MI and claimed it to be a secrete document, on the basis of which the spy agencies’ chiefs desired to give an in-camera briefing.
Hearing the case of the Domkis’ assassination, Justice Shakirullah remarked no tangible progress had been made in the matter. He also expressed dissatisfaction over the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) report, submitted by the Sindh additional advocate general, saying it did not contain anything new.
The court directed the Sindh Police chief to take the matter seriously and look into it personally.
During the hearing, Justice Shakirullah reprimanded DIG Shaukat Ali, saying, “When we ask you something about the case you appear lost.”
He said two weeks had passed but no progress had been made so far, while Justice Tariq Pervaiz remarked the court was being repeatedly told that they were investigating the case.
SSP Niaz Khoso informed the bench that the top police officials were supervising the murder case due to its importance, adding the murderers would be brought to justice.
Justice Shakirullah remarked that the supervision by the high-ups was also meant to make the investigation meaningful.
Justice Tariq said the report suggested 36 bullets were fired. He questioned whether they were fired from one or more guns, to which the SSP replied that one weapon was used in the incident.
He said according to the eyewitnesses, a black colour Cuore or Suzuki Alto car was used in the killing of Domki’s wife and daughter.
“We are checking the Cuore and Alto cars, used by people in Karachi,” he said, adding that there were 68,000 Alto and Cuore cars in Karachi, while tracker system was installed in 2,200 cars and they had checked 500 Alto and 108 vehicles.
Justice Tariq observed the performance of the police was zero.
The court directed the IGP Sindh to submit a comprehensive report by March 7.
INP adds: While giving the March 7 deadline, the court told the attorney general Haq to inform the agencies that the investigation into Domkis’ murder should also be included in the report.