Seminary records sought in Mangi Dam attack probe

Judicial commission orders district-wise verification of madaris across Balochistan

QUETTA:

The judicial commission investigating the Ziarat Mangi Dam terrorist attack has directed Balochistan authorities to submit a fully verified, district-wise record of all registered religious seminaries (madaris) operating across the province.

Presiding over an open court hearing in Quetta, Justice Muhammad Amir Nawaz Rana stressed the need for strict regulatory compliance, verification and financial transparency in the administration of religious institutions.

After examining a preliminary report on seminary governance, the commission summoned the in-charge officer of the Directorate General of Religious Education to appear in person at the next hearing. The official has been directed to submit a comprehensive report covering registration procedures, verification mechanisms, sources of funding and monitoring arrangements for all religious seminaries in Balochistan.

The commission also took up the issue of delayed compensation to families of victims of the attack. Advocate Habibullah Khan Nasir, representing the bereaved families, informed the bench that the relief packages promised by the government had yet to be disbursed to the heirs of the martyrs.

The Additional Chief Secretary (Home) assured the commission that sanction orders for the compensation had already been issued and advised the affected families to approach his office directly.

To ensure that the payments were not further delayed, the commission directed officials, including Naseemullah and Izzatullah, to coordinate immediately with the Home Department and expedite the release of all pending compensation.

Meanwhile, new evidence was also formally placed on the record. Citizen Abdul Baqi submitted an FIR concerning the theft and disappearance of personal belongings and the mobile phone of martyred Anti-Terrorism Force Constable Jan Dad Khan.

Baqi also presented video footage related to the incident. The commission accepted the footage as part of the official record for further investigative examination.