A province under fire: CJ says extraordinary measures needed in Balochistan

Underscores the role of illegal mobile phone SIMs in terror-related activities.

ISLAMABAD:

Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said on Friday that since Balochistan had become a hub for illegal activities, there could no longer be any compromise on its law and order situation.

“The situation of the province is not normal and there must be extraordinary measures to control it,” he told senior officials during the Supreme Court hearing on the province’s law and order.

According to him, efforts must be made to restore confidence in the government, especially among those who have left Dera Bugti.

“Why is action not taken against those involved in the abduction of people in the province?” he asked. “If people are fearful of FC officials, then action should be taken against those officials who are involved in abductions.”

Furthermore, the chief justice said that governor’s rule has not been validated by parliament as yet. He said the court was in favour of democracy, but noted how many compromises must be made in a democratic set-up.

Chief Justice Chaudhry also emphasised the role of illegal SIMs in helping facilitate incidents such as kidnapping for ransom, bomb blasts, and targeted killings.According to him, the Taliban are also using these means for communication and for implementing their violent plans.

In response, the counsel for Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) Raza Kazim said that such a large number of SIMs is never sold by the PTA to a single person, but by franchises. He said that the PTA should be given the authority to block the illegal SIMs.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 16^th, 2013.