Absolved: Akbar Bugti’s grandson released in smuggling case

Court rules in favour of Shazain Bugti as FC fails to provide evidence.

QUETTA:

Slain Jamhoori Watan Party chief Akbar Bugti’s grandson was released by a court on Thursday after being absolved from alleged involvement in a case of smuggling weapons from Afghanistan.

On December 22, 2012, Shazain Bugti and his companions were arrested at the Buleli check-post by the Frontier Corps, who accused them of illegally transporting weapons from Chaman to Quetta.

However, Additional District Sessions Judge Noroz Hoath ordered the release of Shazain and his companions as lawyers representing the FC failed to prove the allegations.



Meanwhile, Shahzain, who has been under medical care at the Civil Hospital for several days, said that FC had registered a ‘bogus case’ against him. “Former president Pervez Musharraf has also levelled similar charges against the Bugti clan, which have not been proved.”

Furthermore, he guaranteed that “there is no RAW agent in Balochistan” and that all Baloch people are “patriotic citizens”.

“Anyone who is an agent of any foreign country should be hanged to death,” he said.

Shahzain also said that a decision on his participation in the next elections would be taken after talks with tribal leaders.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 22^nd, 2013.