Significance of ‘Karachi Badamni Case’

A larger bench of the Supreme Court resumed hearing in the famous "Karachi Badamni Case" on Monday after 20 months and a report submitted by the Rangers in the court can have far reaching implications for city's law and order. 

The report seeks extraordinary powers including yearly extension instead of 90 days in Rangers’ powers under Anti-Terrorism Act, and practically all police powers from FIR to prosecution. 

If something is to be given the credit of peace in Karachi besides the law enforcement agencies, it is this case initiated by the former Chief Justice, Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, in 2011. This led to the 2013 Karachi operation and for the first time it was officially acknowledged that political parties had militant wings.

The case is also significant because for the first time it was revealed how arms and narcotics were being smuggled to Karachi, not only through land but also through sea. The case led to the operation against the outlawed groups, Lyari gang war and MQM's alleged militant wing, but the law enforcement agencies are still silent about similar wings of other parties.

It also reopened one of the most alarming chapter linked with Karachi's law and order i.e. massive corruption in matters of land and for the first time the term "china cutting" of lands came on surface. 

However, one still awaits the outcome of the performance of both police and Rangers in recovery of weapons and what happened to the process of over one million arms licences, which had not been verified, what to talk of illegal weapons. 

There has been marked improvement in law and order since the operation was launched but this aspect of making Karachi "weapon free" still remains a dream. Where are these weapons? Have they been dumped? What action has been taken against those who had not verified their arms licences.

Perhaps that could be one of the reasons why "Karachi Badamni case" continued even after five years. The case also has its political implications as actions were taken against MQM's alleged militants, some bureaucrats, officials of the Sindh government and more importantly Dr Asim Hussain was arrested.

On Monday the bench headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mr Justice Anwar Jamali, after reports were submitted by police and Rangers, adjourned the hearing for today. But it was the report submitted by the Rangers that attracted media attention. This report is also a setback for police and the Sindh government as it clearly mentioned how police have been politicised. Therefore, the outcome of this case would ultimately show how permanent peace could be restored in this economic hub of Pakistan.

While the Ranger's report, copy of which is acquired by this correspondent, took credit for the arrest of 5,069 criminals/terrorists, it raised serious questions about release of over 1,100 criminals/terrorists because of poor police investigation and prosecution.  This report clearly reflects the differences which persist between the Rangers and Sindh government and gave reasons why police could not perform more professionally. 

The reasons are, (1) political interference, (2) frequent transfers and postings, and (3) lack of training and recruitment policy. It also suggests that like in rangers, police official too should have fixed tenure. In this regard the report mentioned that since Rangers are here only three DG Rangers were posted whereas in 2015 alone three or four home secretaries were replaced while many police officers were transferred and posted from one place to another. 

The Ranger's report also mentions the differences between the military establishment and Sindh government over the Karachi operation, and Rangers no confidence in police in handling prosecution and investigation. At the same time the Sindh government and PPP face a challenge because despite repeated reminders they did nothing to depoliticise and improve the functioning of police.

In Dr Asim's case the Rangers and Sindh govt-backed police almost came face to face in the court more than once. Rangers prosecutor blamed police Investigation Officer (IO) for damaging the case while the IO accused the Rangers of wanting investigation according to their desire.

These differences have now reached the Supreme Court in the case that led to this operation. At present the Sindh government and police are on the one side and Rangers, indirectly establishment, on the other side.

It appeared as the Supreme Court's larger bench may once again give a few directions to the authorities and provincial government for making Karachi a peaceful city. Though the case has nothing to do with political fallout, things are really heading for a dangerous scenario with future of local government looked quite uncertain at least in Karachi, while two major stakeholders, PPP and MQM, are in trouble. Thus, the Karachi Badamni case, may go into the political history of this city as the "game changer."            The writer is the senior columnist and analyst of Geo, The News and Jang.