CJP to constitute larger bench on Balochistan situation

CJP said that judiciary was making utmost efforts to ensure the safe recovery of missing persons, 95 recovered so far

QUETTA: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said a larger bench will be soon constituted over the deteriorating human rights situation in Balochistan and non-recovery of missing persons, on Friday.

He made this announcement while addressing a conference on “Environmental Law-Balochistan” when the Chief Justice of Balochistan High Court Qazi Faez Isa drew his attention towards the deteriorating law and order situation in the province.

The judiciary kept a close eye on Balochistan’s law and order situation, recovery of missing persons and targeted killings; and soon a larger bench would be constituted for retaining peace in the province, Chaudhry said.

He added that the judiciary was making utmost efforts to ensure the safe recovery of missing persons. A Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Shakir Allah was working on the law and order situation and targeted killing in Balochistan while a commission led by Justice (r) Javed Iqbal was also pursuing cases related to recovery of missing persons and that 95 out of 188 missing persons were recovered so far.

The CJP said that providing basic rights to citizens is the government's responsibility and not just the judiciary's.