SC demands 3 year record of target killings in Balochistan

Chief justice observed that law and order is deteriorating as a permanent IG has not been posted in Balochistan.

ISLAMABAD:

The Supreme Court demanded the past three-year record of targeted killings in Balochistan on Thursday.

During the hearing of the Balochistan law and order case, the government was also ordered to brief the SC on the steps that have been taken to recover missing lawyers.

The chief justice observed that the law and order situation is deteriorating in the province as a permanent IG has not been posted in Balochistan.

The chief justice also warned that the provincial chief secretary will be held responsible for any untoward incident in the future.

Updated from print edition (below)

Balochistan target  killings: CS summoned

The Supreme Court on Thursday summoned the chief secretary of Balochistan to explain measures being taken by the provincial government to control lawlessness in the province.

A three-member bench of the apex court was hearing a petition filed by the president of the Balochistan High Court Bar Association on the deteriorating law and order situation and target killings in the province.

Chief Justice (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary condemned the killings in the province and said it is the responsibility of the chief secretary to protect the life and property of people under article 9 of the constitution. The court also asked the provincial government to provide details of compensation paid to the families of victims.

“Is there a government in Balochistan or is self-interest and corruption the rule of the day?” Justice Sair Ali said.

Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Maulvi Anwarul Haq submitted that cases are being registered against unidentified persons and they are being pursued by law enforcement agencies. He claimed that the situation was improving. “Who are these unidentified people and for how long will the bodies of innocents keep on surfacing in Balochistan?” the chief justice asked the AGP.

A committee headed by the chief minister has been constituted for reconciliation and for addressing the locals’ concerns, provincial Advocate General (AG) Amanullah Kunrani informed the court.

At the beginning of the hearing, the CJP asked the advocate general about a recent incident of target killing in which 11 people were killed. Kunrani said the murders were part of sectarian violence in the province.

The bench adjourned the hearing till Thursday.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 12^th, 2011.