Arrest of Bugti’s grandson: Shahzain remanded to police custody
Shahzain Bugti, who is the grandson of late Nawab Akbar Bugti, was brought to the court of Justice Mohammad Ismail Baloch amid strict security. Media personnel were not allowed to enter the court premises.
He was arrested by paramilitary troops on Wednesday when they found a huge quantity of arms and ammunitions from vehicles in his convoy during a snap check at the Buleli check-post on the outskirts of Quetta.
Shahzain Bugti told reporters that it was preposterous to suggest that someone was carrying arms and ammunition in such a large quantity. “I was not going for jihad or waging a war,” he said.
Accusing secret agencies’ involvement in the episode, he said that this was a conspiracy to prevent the long march on to Dera Bugti. “The arms do not belong to me. I am ready to defend myself in a court of law. I have strong faith in the judiciary that it [will] provide justice,” he added.
He said that his grandfather, later Nawab Akbar Bugti, had also been killed under a similar pre-planned conspiracy. “I have (already) spent eight months in jail and [I am] not scared of being jailed,” he said.
A case has been registered against Shahzain Bugti at the Airport Police Station under sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Provincial Home Minister Zafar Zehri later told reporters that the government would fulfill all legal obligations, adding that justice “will be ensured and reality will be made public soon”. He said that a joint investigation committee would soon complete its investigation and submit a report to the government.
Meanwhile, the JWP called for a complete strike across Balochistan on Friday to condemn the arrest. The announcement was made during a protest demonstration in front of the Quetta Press Club by the party’s general secretary, Yusuf Notazai. The JWP also rejected the formation of the joint investigation committee and urged the Supreme Court to probe the matter.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 24th, 2010.
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