Balochistan Assembly: ‘Expose the kidnappers among ministers’

JUI-F’s Abdul Wasey wants all accused named and shamed.

QUETTA:

Provincial ministers on Thursday demanded the home minister and law enforcement agencies to disclose the names of those ministers allegedly involved in kidnappings in the province.

Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani had earlier taken notice of the rising number of kidnappings for ransom in Balochistan; however, assembly members were not content with the measures taken by him.

“It is a serious allegation that provincial ministers are involved in kidnappings. This must be taken up by the chief minister and home minister. Most of the people sitting in the assembly are ministers, thus names of those involved should be disclosed and action taken against them,” demanded senior provincial minister and JUI-F leader Maulana Abdul Wasey during the Balochistan Assembly session here, presided over by Speaker Aslam Bhootani.

The demand was made by Wasey on a point of order during the session. He claimed that the provincial home minister had earlier stated that some provincial ministers were involved in kidnappings.

Wasey said that JUI-F had already demanded Home Minister Mir Zafar Zehri to disclose the identity of ministers involved in criminal activity.

“They must be sacked from the cabinet,” he said, adding that he had also demanded the chief minister to immediately convene a high-level meeting to review the law and order situation in Balochistan. Other provincial ministers voiced support for Wasey’s demands and called for immediate action by the chief minister.

Earlier, Provincial Minister Sardar Aslam Bezinjo took the floor on a point of order and drew the attention of the House over the deteriorating law and order situation in Khuzdar, particularly on the Quetta-Karachi National Highway.

“Kidnappings and highway hold-ups have become the order of the day.”

Meanwhile, Dr Fauzia Nazir Marri of BNP-Awami said that most police officials and Balochistan Levies personnel were recruited purely on political basis, adding that peace could only be maintained if promotions were given on merit. Even though Balochistan CM Aslam Raisani was present during the Assembly, he opted out of discussing any of the topics.  The session was adjourned till March 22.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 23^rd, 2012.