Balochistan unrest: Stop ‘kill and dump’ operations

Lawyers in Balochistan urge quick recovery of missing persons.

QUETTA: The Balochistan High Court Bar Association has urged the government and the superior judiciary to play their due role for the safe recovery of missing persons.

BHCBA’s senior vice-president Sajid Tareen told a press conference that Balochistan’s situation will go out of control if timely steps were not taken to stop the “kill and dump” operations.

“Lawyer Munir Ahmed Mirwani was kidnapped a year ago and his whereabouts are still not known. Another lawyer Agha Zahir Shah was released but he is not in his senses because he was brutally tortured in custody. Human rights groups in their reports clearly mentioned the elements that were responsible for these enforced disappearances and killings,” he added.

He specifically said the high court and the Supreme Court must put pressure on the security agencies to release lawyers and other missing persons.

“A dirty game is being played in Balochistan which must be stopped. This dangerous game is being played through a conspiracy which can harm the solidarity of the country,” Tareen remarked. He also criticised the government for not implementing the verdicts of superior courts. “Government is not implementing the court orders merely to cover up corrupt practices,” he claimed.

Law services in remote areas

Tareen also drew the attention of the superior judiciary and the government over Turbat, Khuzdar and Loralai circuit benches, the establishment of which, he said, is required to accommodate the people of remote areas.

“Turbat circuit bench has been approved but is yet to be made functional. The government should consult the Balochistan High Court and should then appoint respective chairmen for labour tribunal, service tribunal and environment tribunal, all of which are lying vacant for months,” he added. He said that people living in remote areas pay hefty money and waste a lot of time merely for minor cases. He added that the setting up of the circuit benches on an immediate basis will drastically improve the prevalent system.

Other elected members of the high court bar including vice-president Sayed Nazir Ahmed Agha and general secretary Sanaullah Ababaki, were also present at the press conference.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 10^th, 2011.