Balochistan law and order case: Govt directed to protect voters, candidates

Interim govt in talks with nationalist parties, SC told.

ISLAMABAD:

The Supreme Court directed on Thursday the Balochistan interim government and law enforcement agencies to provide security to voters and candidates during the upcoming elections.

A two-member bench, headed by Justice Gulzar Ahmed, was hearing a petition of the Balochistan High Court Bar Association on the worsening law and order situation in the province.

Shahid Hamid, counsel for the provincial government, submitted a progress report on behalf of the provincial administration and briefed the court about the steps taken for holding free and fair elections in Balochistan.

The lawyer said that the interim government has been taking necessary measures for the security of all political leaders and, in this regard, the administration had met with national party leaders to persuade them to take part in the forthcoming polls.

Meanwhile, during the proceedings, a Crime Investigation Department Balochistan official submitted a report related to missing persons.

According to the report, as many as 13 missing persons had been recovered and sent home after their statements were recorded by a first class magistrate. It further stated that action was also being taken against army officials accused of being involvement in kidnappings and abductions.

Expressing concern over the kidnapping of former Balochistan advocate general, Salahuddin Mengal, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed directed law enforcement agencies to make efforts for his recovery and submit its report on the next date of hearing.

Hamid assured the court that the ex-AG would be recovered soon and the culprits would be brought to book.

The government’s lawyer also informed the court that 18,000 inhabitants of Dera Bugti had returned to their homes and a strategy had been evolved for their rehabilitation.

He said Rs136 million had already been disbursed among the resettled people.

The case was adjourned for three weeks.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 5^th, 2013.