CJP laments deplorable situation in Balochistan

Inaugurates new building of Supreme Court’s Quetta registry

QUETTA: Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar has said he feels embarrassed because despite having abundant natural resources the people of Balochistan are demanding basic rights and are complaining about being neglected by the federal government.

“The situation of Balochistan is deplorable despite having rendered colossal sacrifices for the safety of Pakistan,” said Justice Nisar while addressing an inauguration ceremony of a new building of the Supreme Court’s Quetta registry on Monday.

Senior judges Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, Justice Sheikh Ahmed Gulzar, Justice Musheer Alam, Justice Mazhar Mian, Balochistan High Court (BHC) Chief Justice Tahira Safdar, sitting and retired judges and a large number of lawyers were present.



The CJP hoped that the Quetta registry would play its due role in imparting speedy justice to the people of Balochistan.

“During my visits to Balochistan, I have given my observations in courts that why chief secretaries and inspectors general of police are being posted in Balochistan from other provinces,” said Justice Nisar. “Though these are administrative issues, but the concept of self-governance should be equal in Balochistan like in other provinces.

“Whether I am at my position or not, the judicial system in the country must remain strong. I know more honest and credible judges will fill my place because institutionalised issues are more important than individual ones.”

Slamming the previous regimes over neglecting the decreasing water level issue in the country, the CJP said, “Today, we have been discussing water issues and issuing warnings that in the next seven years Pakistan and Balochistan will face severe water crisis.”

The CJP said, “What measures have the provincial governments taken to control water issues? Unfortunately, they did nothing on the valid issue. Shouldn’t they be held accountable for risking public lives?”

Nisar highlighted sincere measures and patriotism as the only solution to develop Pakistan.

He summoned Chief Secretary (CS) Akhtar Nazir to Islamabad with complete details of the measures taken by the provincial government to address the water scarcity issue in the province.

“Time has come to correct our mistakes which pushed back the country … this is the time to pay back because we have to take our country forward,” said Justice Nisar, adding that still there were vast opportunities of development in Pakistan.

On increasing the number of judges at the BHC, Nisar said, “On the request of the honourable judges and bar members, I increased the number of judges three months ago.

“The day when BHC CJ Safdar took oath, I had called her and told her to share the names of the judges to increase their number, but she said that the names will be shared after resolving some provincial court issues. We have increased the representation of Balochistan in the Islamabad High Court from seven judges to 10.”.



Meanwhile, a three -member SC bench, headed by CJP Nisar and comprising Justice Asif Saeed Khosa and Justice Gulzar, marked the occasion by hearing a case regarding blockades on Zarghoon Road in Quetta.

Lawyer Nazeer Agha told the court that on the court’s orders, all blockades on highways around the country were being removed, but blockades on Zarghoon Road were not removed under the pretext of Red Zone.

On this, the CJP directed the advocate general for Balochistan to summon CS Nazir to appear before the court and explain his position, saying roads “are not blocked anywhere in the world in the name of security”. Currently Nazir is in Iran.