Kalashnikov culture must be dismantled: Chief Justice Isa
Pakistan
Grills Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police chief for not questioning the owner over arms sources
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News/Web Desk) – Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa on Wednesday observed that the “Kalashnikov culture” must be uprooted from Pakistan, as he cited the open display of the automatic rifle [and other sophisticated weapons] in the country, creating an atmosphere.
The remarks came as a three-member Supreme Court bench headed by the chief justice heard the bail plea filed by an accused – Kashif who is facing the theft charges that also involves stealing weapons.
Ordering the authorities concerned to share the details of prohibited arms’ licences issued across Pakistan, the court also issued notices to the attorney general and the interior secretary as well as the provincial advocate generals, homes secretaries and police chiefs.
The police even didn’t bother to ask the owner about the licences of arms stolen from his house, Chief Justice said, adding that he had himself admitted that the two Kalashnikovs and a handgun (pistol) were among the precious items taken away during the robbery.
KALASHNIKOV OFFERED
As the country’s stop judge asked about the source of the two Kalashnikovs, he remarked, “Why action shouldn’t be taken against the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa IG (Inspector General of Police), the way he is giving the Kalashnikovs’ papers.”
Expressing his anger over not grilling the owner over the arms, he reminded the police chief the owning a Kalashnikov without licence was a crime.
The chief justice also revealed that he had also been offered the Kalashnikov licence. “Drugs and Kalashnikov destroyed Pakistan. “No one moves around while carrying Kalashnikov in vehicles with tainted glasses anywhere in the world like this.”
OPEN DISPLAY
He warned that the court would order the interior secretary to cancel the licences and collect all the Kalashnikovs in the country.
According to the chief justice, armed persons carrying Kalashnikov are visible whenever any ventures out to markets and schools. “They should remain inside, if they are so afraid. They come out only to create fear among the people and show their influence.
POLICE REMAIN SILENT SPECTATOR
Chief Justice Isa also grilled the police for not even asking about the ownership of Kalashnikovs from those displaying these through their guards posted outside homes and carrying them in vehicles in Islamabad. How one should know whether armed men were terrorists or someone else, he asked.
Later, the three-member bench accepted the bail on Rs50,000 surety bonds.
