Law And Order: Raisani failed to extend FC mandate

ISLAMABAD:

Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani’s provincial cabinet failed to extend the Frontier Corps (FC) mandate to exercise police powers in the province for another two months, despite clear instructions by an apex committee last week to extend the directive expiring on November 2.

The apex committee, headed by the Balochistan Governor Nawab Zulfiqar Ali Magsi, was also attended by the provincial chief minister, chief secretary, Corps Commander, Inspector General Frontier Corps, provincial inspector general of police and the Balochistan home secretary.

Raisani was instructed by the committee to get formal approval of the provincial cabinet, being the competent forum to take such decisions, but even though the chief minister convened a cabinet meeting, he failed to bring the issue before the cabinet members.

After a brief session, the chief minister left the meeting due to low blood pressure.

However, a senior official in the provincial home department said the federal government, keeping in view Raisani’s failure to address the issue, has empowered the FC to continue to assist the provincial government in the maintenance of law and order in the province.

However, the Frontier Constabulary (FC) would now have to join the provincial police in monitoring terrorism and would be under the command of the provincial deputy commissioner.

Another top official in the provincial administration said the federal government was prepared to remove the chief minister after the Supreme Court’s short order last month declaring the provincial government a failure.

The federal government, after making up its mind on Raisani’s removal, had asked the provincial governor to convene the meeting of the apex committee last month, the official added.


Published in The Express Tribune, November 2^nd, 2012.