SC summons NACTA DG in Hazaras’ killing case
A mourner from the Shia Hazara community holds a photograph of a victim near the coffins of other miners who were killed in an attack by gunmen. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
The Supreme Court has summoned the National Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta) director general on the next hearing over non-compliance of orders to release the salaries and restore the bank accounts of four recovered persons of the Hazara community.
A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed, on Thursday heard the suo motu notice against the targeted killing of the Hazara community.
The court also sought a progress report from the Balochistan police for the recovery of abducted Ali Raza.
When Balochistan inspector general of police appeared in court during the hearing, Justice Ijazul Ahsan asked him what happened for the recovery of abducted Ali Raza.
The IG replied that they had formed a joint investigation team for the purpose. “The DNA samples of one body have been sent to the Punjab Forensic Lab.
“Three years later, the case was handed over to the police by the Levies Force.”
An irked Chief Justice Gulzar said, "IG, you are digging graves and looking for slaves. Find abducted Ali Raza among the living.”
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The CJ said, “Do you have any idea what the family must be going through after hearing of the body.”
Justice Qazi Muhammad Amin said that the failure to retrieve the abductee was a failure of the police.
The Balochistan IG replied that the family of the abductee kept getting calls from Afghanistan.
“We are trying our best to find the abductee as soon as possible.”
Ali Raza's wife apprised the court that she had no information about her husband and only wanted justice.
Justice Amin said, “Targeted killing of the Hazara community is being done and steps should be taken for their protection.”
The recovered persons’ lawyer said that the court had in the previous hearing asked to release the salaries of all the four recovered persons and restore their bank accounts but Nacta said the names were not clearly written in the court decision.
The chief justice said, “All the details have been written in the decision of the Supreme Court, then how can Nacta disobey the order.
“Let’s call Nacta DG and ask him.”
The lawyer said that Changez Khan was an employee of a private bank, Imran Ali Radio Pakistan, Amir Ali Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited and Mukhtar Hussain used to run a private business.
After the abduction, he said, their names were put in the Fourth Schedule by Nacta.
“Their bank accounts are frozen due to Nacta and the companies are not paying salaries to their employees.”
The court summoned Nacta DG for non-compliance with its order and also issued notices to Radio Pakistan director general, SNGPL general manager and the private bank’s management before adjourning the hearing till November 16.