Balochistan Assembly: Unmask those ministers who support criminals, demand members

Ministers deplore deteriorating law and order situation in province, increasing kidnappings.

QUETTA: Despite Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani taking notice of rising incidents of kidnapping for ransom in Balochistan, Provincial Ministers seem unsatisfied with measures adopted to resolve the situation thus far.

“It is a serious allegation that provincial ministers are involved in kidnappings. This must be taken up seriously by Chief Minister and Home Minister,” demanded Senior Provincial Minister Maulana Abdul Wasay, of the Jamiat-e-Ulema Islam, during Thursday’s Balochistan Assembly session.  “Most of the people sitting in the Assembly are ministers thus names of the involved ministers should be disclosed and action must be taken against them,” he demanded.

Speaker Aslam Bhootani was presiding over the session. A silent Chief Minister Aslam Raisani sat in his assembly seat.

On a point of order, Senior Minister for Planning and Development (P&D) Maulana Wasay said that the provincial home minister had stated on record that some provincial ministers are involved in kidnappings. “This is a matter of shame that such serious allegations are being levelled against ministers who are supposed to safeguard the interest of the common people.”

Maulana Wasey said that his party, the JUI-F, had demanded that Home Minister Mir Zafar Zehri and concerned authorities disclose the names of those ministers who were backing criminals. “The ministers must be sacked from cabinet,” he told the house.

He also called for the Chief Minister to immediately convene a high level meeting to review the law and order situation in Balochistan.

Regarding the kidnappings of JUI-F, Jamat-i-Islami, Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP), Awami National Party (ANP) leaders in broad daylight from Quetta and had snatching of their vehicles, Wasay said “if political leaders are vulnerable to kidnappings, how then will the common men feel safe in Balochistan?”

Underlining the gravity of the situation, the Senior Minister said that a few days ago the security in charge of provincial ministers was kidnapped for ransom.

Earlier, Provincial Minister Sardar Aslam Bezinjo took to the floor on a point of order and drew the attention of the House towards the deteriorating law and order situation in Khuzdar, particularly on the Quetta-Karachi highway. “The kidnappings and highway holds up have become an order of the day. Despite repeated appeals, law enforcing agencies are yet to ensure the protection of life and property of the people.”

He said that vehicles with tainted glasses are used in kidnappings and other crimes but police have failed to take action against such vehicles.

Provincial Ministers Abdul Khali Bashar Dost of JUI-Ideology, Ayenullah Shams of JUI-F, Shahnwaz Marri, Zamruk Khan of ANP, Jay Parkash Lal of JUI-F backed Maulana Wasey and Sardar Aslam Bezinjo’s demands. The ministers said it was very difficult to say that any area of the province was safe for the people. “People in Quetta, Khuzdar, Nasirabad, Jaffarabad, Zhob and other areas are living under constant fear due to prevailing insecurity.”

Dr Fozia Nazeer Marri of BNP-Awami alleged that most of officials in the police and Balochistan Levies had been recruited on political basis. “The law enforcement agencies will be able to maintain peace when promotions are given on merit rather than political basis,” she demanded.

Meanwhile, PML-Q Jaffar Mandokhail tabled the resolution appreciating the Pakistan Army for setting up Institute of Medical Sciences. He stated that the institute was the Army’s contribution towards improving the literacy rate in the province. He called upon the provincial government to financially support the students who are unable to pay the admission fee for this institution.

The session was adjourned.