With more than 1,400 cases pending in anti-graft courts across Sindh, Enquiries and Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) Chairman Alamuddin Bullo has expressed his displeasure over the poor performance of prosecutors and investigation officers and warned that inadequate case preparation will not be tolerated.
He issued the warning while presiding over a meeting on Friday to review progress in cases pending in anti-corruption courts across the province. The spokesman for the ACE said the meeting was briefed about the cases taken up during the past three years, as well as about convictions and acquittals announced last year.
The meeting was informed by ACE Director Usman Ghani that 1,458 cases were pending in courts. He said 13 corrupt officers had been convicted and 111 released by anti-corruption courts this year so far.
He expressed his displeasure at the huge number of cases in which investigation officers failed to do their job properly, saying that strict action would be taken against any officer who damaged his case with a poor investigation.
The chairman further stated that there was a dire need for close coordination between the prosecutors and the investigation officers. “The conviction rate in anti-corruption corruption is dismal; therefore, investigation and prosecution need a complete overhaul.”
The meeting decided to establish an anti-corruption court in Mirpurkhas and take action against any applicant (under sections 182 and 193 of the Pakistan Penal Code) who misguided the ACE or provided fake evidence.
Bullo directed the investigation officers to use modern devices/technology and forensic tools to collect evidence for probing financial crimes. He added that the internal committee of his department would review all cases in which the prosecution side had failed, and if any flaws were found in the investigation or prosecution, strict action would be taken against the officer concerned.
The meeting was attended by ACE Special Secretary Khalid Chachar, Establishment Director Usman Ghani Siddique, Deputy Secretary Dr Mansoor Ali Wassan, Enquiries Director Zubair Pervez, Legal Director Abdul Hannan Shaikh, Karachi Deputy District Public Prosecutor Riyasat Ali, Hyderabad Assistant District Public Prosecutor Nadeem Ahmed Thaheem and prosecuting inspectors/investigating officers of the department.
