Balochistan security: Frontier Corps’ powers extended for a month

The paramilitary unit has been allowed to raid, arrest, detain and question people wherever it desires.

QUETTA:

The provincial home department on Saturday gave the Frontier Corps (FC) a one-month extension for its right to exercise police powers in Balochistan as the previous mandate ended on November 2.

The FC, which is a paramilitary force falling under the interior ministry’s jurisdiction, was delegated police powers two months ago in order to improve the worsening law and order situation in Balochistan. The paramilitary unit was authorised to raid, arrest, detain and question people wherever it desired, along with the police which performed its usual functions.

A notification by the home department said that the FC’s mandate to exercise police powers has been extended with immediate effect.

Political criticism

Political groupings were quick to denounce the extension of the mandate, warning that it could be used to crush the government’s political opponents in the province. They also pointed out that the force was notorious for human rights violations.

Talking to reporters, Balochistan Home Secretary Akbar Hussein Durrani confirmed that the mandate had been extended in order to curb lawlessness in Balochistan. Steps are being taken to recover the abducted Dr Saeed Khan, he said.

Responding to a question, Durrani said that the Khuzdar incident had been registered under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

For the time being, he said, nothing could be said about the culprits.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 4^th, 2012.