BHC converts case of kidnapping into petition

Chief Justice of the Balochistan High Court converted the kidnapping case of Mir Munir Ahmed Mirawani into a petition.

QUETTA: The Chief Justice of the Balochistan High Court, Mr Justice Qazi Faez Isa, converted on Saturday the kidnapping case of Mir Munir Ahmed Mirawani, an office-bearer of the Jhalawan Bar Association, into a constitutional petition, and asked all respondents to submit their comments on the matter within a week.

This is the first time the High Court has taken such an action.

The respondents include the Balochistan government, through the provincial home secretary, PPO and Khuzdar DPO, and the Centre, through the commandant of the Kalat Scouts, a wing of the Frontier Corps, Balochistan.

Notices have also been served on presidents of the Balochistan High Court Bar Association and the Balochistan Bar Association.

“If (any) matter is sensitive, the disclosure could be made in the chamber of the Chief Justice,” an order issued to this effect said.

Criticising the authorities for not having been able to trace the whereabouts of the kidnapped lawyer even after 17 days, the High Court order said: “It is the principal duty of the state to ensure law and order and a fundamental duty to ensure the security of people (living in its domain).

“Another lawyer, namely Iftikharul Haq Khan, was kidnapped and it was only after a suo motu notice...that he was released. There have been a spate of kidnappings and the performance of the police and other law-enforcement agencies is not at a level to effectively combat this menace.

“Mr Munir Ahmed was an advocate and both the High Court Bar Association and the Balochistan Bar Association have been protesting about his abduction. Accordingly, let this matter be treated as a constitutional petition...”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 4^th, 2010.