Action demanded: ‘Deploy army in Quetta, Karachi’

A human rights activist files petition in the Supreme Court.

KARACHI: A human rights activist filed a petition in the Supreme Court on Monday, requesting military deployment in Quetta and Karachi city.  People are being killed in both provincial capitals and a similar approach is needed to counter the menace, said petitioner Syed Iqbal Kazmi. The state has failed to provide protection of life and property to the citizens, he added.  While emphasising his point, Kazmi cited the Balochistan law and order case ruling that stated, “The provincial government has lost its constitutional authority to govern the province because of violation of the fundamental rights of the people.”  The activist added that there is no other option left for the people but to request the court to order army deployment under Article 190 of the Constitution.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 15^th, 2013.