Lawlessness in Balochistan: SC demands ‘practical’ steps to improve security
Chief justice inquires about progress in Akbar Bugti murder case.
ISLAMABAD:
The Supreme Court has summoned the chief secretary on March 8 to cite measures taken by the Balochistan government to improve law and order in the province.
Chief Justice Ifitkhar Muhammad Chaudhry, while presiding over a three-member bench, directed the federal as well as the provincial government to take immediate steps to curb the rising incidents of violence in Balochistan. The bench was hearing a petition for enforcement of people’s fundamental right to life and liberty against the backdrop of deteriorating law and order in the province.
The chief justice said that it is the provincial government’s duty to maintain law and order, but the federal government cannot be absolved of responsibility.
The Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Maulvi Anwarul Haq informed the court that the federal government was sincere in its efforts to restore peace in Balochistan as the prime minister has declared on the floor of the National Assembly and presented the PM’s policy statement on Balochistan. “Political statements do not satisfy petitioners,” the Chief Justice remarked. “Instead of issuing policy statements, the government should take practical steps to improve law and order.” People have been migrating from the province in increasing numbers.
Advocate-General (AG) Balochistan Salahuddin Mengal informed the court that the governor of Balochistan had requested Army Chief Ashfaq Parvez Kayani to launch a military operation in the province during his last visit. He accused the police and the FC of picking up people in broad daylight. The chief justice inquired about the progress made by the provincial government in Nawab Akbar Bugti’s murder case.
The chief justice directed the AG to resolve issues through the mediation of Jirgas or tribal councils.
The petitioner, President Balochistan High Court Bar Association (BHCBA) Hadi Shakeel Ahmad said that nearly every provincial minister is presiding over jirgas. But no concrete efforts are being made by the government to have a debate on the security situation. At least 5,000 people are missing in Balochistan, the petitioner said.
The CJP observed that the statements of the attorney-general and Chief Secretary Balochistan were contradictory. The AGP and Chief Secretary had presented reports on the target killing of two lawyers.
The court directed Inter-Services Intelligence and the Military Intelligence to submit their reports through the attorney-general and reissued a notice to IG Frontier Constabulary.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 3rd, 2011.
The Supreme Court has summoned the chief secretary on March 8 to cite measures taken by the Balochistan government to improve law and order in the province.
Chief Justice Ifitkhar Muhammad Chaudhry, while presiding over a three-member bench, directed the federal as well as the provincial government to take immediate steps to curb the rising incidents of violence in Balochistan. The bench was hearing a petition for enforcement of people’s fundamental right to life and liberty against the backdrop of deteriorating law and order in the province.
The chief justice said that it is the provincial government’s duty to maintain law and order, but the federal government cannot be absolved of responsibility.
The Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Maulvi Anwarul Haq informed the court that the federal government was sincere in its efforts to restore peace in Balochistan as the prime minister has declared on the floor of the National Assembly and presented the PM’s policy statement on Balochistan. “Political statements do not satisfy petitioners,” the Chief Justice remarked. “Instead of issuing policy statements, the government should take practical steps to improve law and order.” People have been migrating from the province in increasing numbers.
Advocate-General (AG) Balochistan Salahuddin Mengal informed the court that the governor of Balochistan had requested Army Chief Ashfaq Parvez Kayani to launch a military operation in the province during his last visit. He accused the police and the FC of picking up people in broad daylight. The chief justice inquired about the progress made by the provincial government in Nawab Akbar Bugti’s murder case.
The chief justice directed the AG to resolve issues through the mediation of Jirgas or tribal councils.
The petitioner, President Balochistan High Court Bar Association (BHCBA) Hadi Shakeel Ahmad said that nearly every provincial minister is presiding over jirgas. But no concrete efforts are being made by the government to have a debate on the security situation. At least 5,000 people are missing in Balochistan, the petitioner said.
The CJP observed that the statements of the attorney-general and Chief Secretary Balochistan were contradictory. The AGP and Chief Secretary had presented reports on the target killing of two lawyers.
The court directed Inter-Services Intelligence and the Military Intelligence to submit their reports through the attorney-general and reissued a notice to IG Frontier Constabulary.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 3rd, 2011.