CB won't intervene to end Quetta sit-in

ISLAMABAD:

The Constitutional Bench (CB) of the Supreme Court has rejected the Balochistan government's request to issue instructions for ending a protest in Quetta sparked after the abduction of a schoolchild, noting that taking decision with regard to protests is the job of local administration.

A five-member CB led by Justice Aminuddin Khan on Thursday took up a petition with regard to abduction of children in Balochistan. During the hearing, Justice Jamal Khan Madokhail noted that safety of the abducted child is their top priority.

The judge, who himself belongs to Balochistan, however, clarified that the CB had not taken suo motu notice of the incident and that the matter was already pending in the court.

Protests erupted in Balochistan after a ten-year old child—the son of a jeweler—was abducted by armed miscreants while he was returning from school on November 15.

During the hearing on Thursday, Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Awan informed the court that a confidential progress report regarding the abduction of the child has been submitted for review.

He requested that the CB examine the report in chambers. He added that progress is being made toward forming a joint investigation team (JIT) for the child's recovery.

The bench briefly adjourned the hearing to review the report in chambers.

When the hearing resumed, the counsel for the Balochistan government requested the court's intervention in ending the ongoing sit-in in Quetta. Justice Musarrat Hilali noted that managing such issues falls under the jurisdiction of the local administration, not the court.

Justice Mandokhail noted that the Balochistan inspector general of police (IGP) had shared all the details in chambers, some of which could not be disclosed publicly to avoid compromising the investigation.

He urged the media to refrain from excessive coverage of the case, as it could endanger the child's life.

The Balochistan government's counsel informed the court that the matter is already under consideration in the Balochistan High Court (BHC). Justice Mandokhail suggested the counsel pursue the case in the BHC.

The CB directed the federal government to provide assistance if required and reassured that cooperation would be extended from all sides. Justice Aminuddin Khan, however, clarified that the Supreme Court has not yet concluded the child's case.

Meanwhile, the bench dismissed a petition seeking a ban on candidates from contesting elections in multiple constituencies. The petitioner's counsel argued that it is against the Constitution and the law for a candidate to run for elections from more than one constituency.

Justice Hilali noted that the SC can strike down laws, but cannot create new ones.

The petitioner's counsel stated that the principle of "one person, one vote" forms the fundamental structure of elections. He argued that the law permitting candidates to contest from multiple constituencies undermines this principle.