FIR against Balochistan minister

QUETTA: A FIR was registered against Balochistan Labour and Manpower Minister Maulvi Ghulam Sarwar on Monday, charging him of physical torture.

Executive engineer of the communication and works department, Ghulam Asghar Lashari, filed a complaint against the minister accusing him of assault. Lashari said he was beaten up publicly after he refused to obey an “illegal and unethical” order by the minister.

Lashari said he had submitted an application at the Civil Line police station. “Minister Ghulam Sarwar asked me to do something which was in violation of certain laws. When I refused, he beat me up. The minister usually intervenes in my official duties, misusing his authority,” the alleged victim told journalists.

Communication and Works Department Minister Mir Sadiq Umrani was present at the police station while the application was being submitted. Talking to journalists, Umrani said this was not the first time the minister had misbehaved. “He has insulted various officers on several occasions in the past but now it can not be tolerated,” Umrani said. “We will not sit silent over this issue and will raise our voice against this act of cruelty. A minister should care about the dignity of all workers, regardless of their position,” he added.

Meanwhile, Sarwar denied all allegations and accused Minister Umrani of using Lashari’s accusations against him.

Published in the Express Tribune, June 1st, 2010.