ISLAMABAD:
The Supreme Court has ordered the government to produce a detailed three-year record of targeted killings in Balochistan and appoint a permanent inspector-general to the province’s police force.
In Thursday’s hearing, the court also directed the authorities concerned to devise a policy to compensate families of victims of targeted killings. It also ordered a search for missing Baloch lawyers Munir Mirwani and Agha Tahir Shah, whose disappearance has led to prolonged protests by lawyers in the province.
A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, is hearing a case on worsening law and order in Balochistan. The petition was filed by president of the Balochistan High Court Bar Association Hadi Shakeel.
The court expressed annoyance over the absence of the Balochistan chief secretary, who had been summoned to appear before the apex court on Wednesday. “It seems that the administration does want to control the worsening law and order situation of the province,” the court observed.
The chief secretary has been warned that contempt of court proceedings will be initiated against him if he does not appear at the next hearing with complete record.
The court observed that officials concerned seem to be least bothered while the province’s law and order appears to be worsening over time.
According to Balochistan police records, there were 256 incidents of targeted killings in Balochistan in 2009, in which 200 people lost their lives.
Last year, 231 incidents were reported in which 255 were killed. At least 39 incidents have occurred, in which 38 people have been killed. As many as 66 others were reported injured.
In his petition, filed under Article 184(3) of the Constitution, Shakeel said that the provincial government has failed to protect the lives and property of citizens. People, he said, were forced to remain confined to their homes out of fear.
He requested the court to order the provincial government to protect people’s life and property and take all necessary steps to end targeted killings, kidnapping for ransom and other crimes that are rampant in Balochistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 13th, 2011.
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