Justice Kausar Sultana of the Sindh High Court (SHC) has sharply criticized Karachi’s law enforcement agencies in the context of a high-profile kidnapping case involving industrialist Zulfiqar Ahmed.
The industrialist, who was abducted on July 23 from Mauripur Road, Karachi, along with his friend Qaiser, was forcibly taken by eight masked men at gunpoint. Although Qaiser was released shortly after the incident, Ahmed remained missing for a period.
During a recent court hearing concerning a petition filed by Ahmed’s wife, Amber Zulfiqar, seeking his recovery, Justice Sultana expressed frustration with the effectiveness of law enforcement in Karachi.
She remarked that spending billions on these agencies seemed futile given the current situation. Her comments underscored her skepticism about the ability of the security forces to address the rampant crime and ensure public safety.
Justice Sultana criticized the current state of law and order in the city, pointing out that citizens are forced to hire private security guards and even close their bank accounts due to fear of crime.
She questioned whether the law enforcement agencies are more powerful than the criminals operating in Karachi.
The judge also warned that legal action would be taken against a station house officer (SHO) if there were another incident involving the kidnapping of the industrialist or anyone from his office.
During the hearing, Assistant Prosecutor General Sindh reported that Ahmed had been recovered and was no longer missing.
However, Justice Sultana questioned whether the case could be classified as kidnapping for ransom, reflecting her concern about the nature and handling of the case.
The petitioner’s lawyer informed the court that while Ahmed had been recovered from Lahore, he was still not in a condition to record his statement.
Further complicating the situation, the investigation officer revealed that no statements had been recorded from the petitioner or her associates, and there were delays and excuses in lodging the case.
The SHC judge expressed her dismay over the lack of progress and questioned the effectiveness of the police and Rangers, given their substantial budget.
In response to the ongoing investigation, the Kalri police had registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the eight suspects involved in the kidnapping. High-powered investigative teams, led by the CIA Deputy Inspector General and the Zonal DIG, were formed to address the case.
The industrialist’s wife had previously emphasized her husband’s prominence in the textile and oil industries and the urgency of his recovery.
Justice Sultana’s comments and actions reflect a broader frustration with Karachi’s law enforcement capabilities and underscore the challenges faced by the city in combating crime and ensuring justice.
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