Security in tribal belt: Redeploy FC troops in K-P, PHC tells govt
The FC has been fighting lawlessness and serving the cause of VVIP security.
PESHAWAR:
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has asked the federal government to return the 52 platoons of the Frontier Constabulary (FC) to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa for deployment at their actual positions in the province to counter militant attacks from tribal areas.
The federal government has deployed FC troops in Islamabad, Karachi and Quetta for VVIP security and controlling law and order situation.
“Are you recalling the FC back to its original place or should we issue the order?” Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Dost Muhammad Khan asked the deputy secretary of the interior ministry, who was representing his department in a writ petition of the K-P government demanding the centre to redeploy FC in the militancy-hit province.
“Tell interior secretary to stay at Sarband police station for three days; she will come to know where the FC is supposed to be deployed,” PHC chief justice said. The FC should be relocated to help police fight militants who have killed thousands of police personnel and civilians, Khan said.
“FC assists police. It’s a fighting force and is not supposed to be deployed for VVIP security,” Khan said.
“Call Rangers from Karachi or Punjab or raise capital security force for Islamabad. Tell us, do you need 48 FC platoons in Islamabad,” CJ remarked adding that 90% of the FC personnel had been deployed on VVIP security, some had been sent to Karachi, Quetta and even to Gilgit Baltistan.
Hearing the case on Thursday, Khan heading a division bench with Justice Waqar Ahmad Seth expressed serious concerns over the dilly dallying of the federal government regarding KP’s demand for the redeployment of FC.
Deputy Attorney General Iqbal Muhammad told the court that civil armed forces come under domain of the federal government and that they are dispatched upon request of the provinces.
Published In The Express Tribune, June 8th, 2012.
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has asked the federal government to return the 52 platoons of the Frontier Constabulary (FC) to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa for deployment at their actual positions in the province to counter militant attacks from tribal areas.
The federal government has deployed FC troops in Islamabad, Karachi and Quetta for VVIP security and controlling law and order situation.
“Are you recalling the FC back to its original place or should we issue the order?” Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Dost Muhammad Khan asked the deputy secretary of the interior ministry, who was representing his department in a writ petition of the K-P government demanding the centre to redeploy FC in the militancy-hit province.
“Tell interior secretary to stay at Sarband police station for three days; she will come to know where the FC is supposed to be deployed,” PHC chief justice said. The FC should be relocated to help police fight militants who have killed thousands of police personnel and civilians, Khan said.
“FC assists police. It’s a fighting force and is not supposed to be deployed for VVIP security,” Khan said.
“Call Rangers from Karachi or Punjab or raise capital security force for Islamabad. Tell us, do you need 48 FC platoons in Islamabad,” CJ remarked adding that 90% of the FC personnel had been deployed on VVIP security, some had been sent to Karachi, Quetta and even to Gilgit Baltistan.
Hearing the case on Thursday, Khan heading a division bench with Justice Waqar Ahmad Seth expressed serious concerns over the dilly dallying of the federal government regarding KP’s demand for the redeployment of FC.
Deputy Attorney General Iqbal Muhammad told the court that civil armed forces come under domain of the federal government and that they are dispatched upon request of the provinces.
Published In The Express Tribune, June 8th, 2012.