A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, heard the case and accepted applications of former Balochistan chief minister Sardar Akhtar Mengal and Nawab Talal Bugti to become a party in the case.
During the proceedings, Mengal’s counsel informed the court that his client was undergoing medical treatment abroad, and would return to Pakistan by September 26.
The chief justices said Mengal could assist the court in the missing persons case and, on the counsel’s request, the CJ ordered the interior secretary to ensure foolproof security arrangements upon the former CM’s return. Supreme Court registrar Faqir Hussain was given responsibility to monitor all security-related arrangements in this regard.
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court had rejected a joint statement submitted by high-ranking government officials on the law and order situation in Balochistan.
The court also appointed Vice Chairman Supreme Court Bar Association Akhtar Hussain, Advocate Munir A Malik, M Zafar and President Supreme Court Bar Association Yasin Azad as amicus curie (friends of court) in the case. Furthermore, they were asked by the court to provide all relevant documents about the case for preparation to assist the court.
The hearing was subsequently adjourned to Sept 27, while the court will hear the case in Quetta from October 8.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 21st, 2012.
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