Daily Times

Sindh is the country’s most corrupt province, said Justice Gulzar Ahmed of the Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday. He made the remark while hearing a case filed by the Sukkur Press Club.

During the hearing, the SC judge stated that every department of the Sindh province was mired in corruption. “Not a single rupee of Sindh’s budget is spent on people. They have nothing in the province,” he said.

“Sukkur city is in ruins. It is the hottest city, yet people are living in multi-storied buildings. There is no electricity or water for them,” Justice Gulzar said, adding there would be violence if the people did not get basic amenities.

“Why don’t you pull down high-rise buildings,” he asked, pointing to Sukkur’s mayor. He said that high-rise buildings could not be constructed in cities which experienced sweltering heat during summers. The judge said they would turn their attention to Sukkur once they had addressed the issues of Karachi. Separately, the Supreme Court of Pakistan stated on Thursday the police system across the country had failed.

Justice Gulzar Ahmed says police system has failed across the country

A bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Gulzar Ahmed, was hearing a petition demanding an increase in the salaries of traffic wardens. During the hearing, Justice Gulzar said, “There doesn’t exist anything called police in the country.” “What have the police done so far that warrants an increase in their salaries? They remain involved in foul practices despite the fact that they are being paid handsomely,” he added. The SC judge said that government officers didn’t perform their duties diligently in a fair manner, but remained worried about raise in allowances. “Most of the police officers commit robberies at night. Crimes are rampant as people’s throats are being slit. Where are the police? They receive salaries as well as bribes from people,” he added.

Justice Gulzar said Punjab’s secretary finance did even know what his job was. The secretary finance said that the provincial government intended to restore the traffic wardens’ increased basic salary and allowances which were previously frozen for some reasons. The bench directed the state counsel to come prepared on the next hearing and adjourned the hearing for two weeks.