Giving in: Nearly 2,000 FC men to return to province
Presently, 113 FC platoons are deployed outside Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
K-P government demanded the redeployed FC troops be brought back when the security situation worsened. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE
PESHAWAR:
The federal government finally assured the Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Thursday that the Frontier Constabulary (FC) troops deployed in other parts of the country would be relocated to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).
Ministry of Interior Senior Joint Secretary Law Khusdil Khan Malik told a division bench comprising PHC Chief Justice Dost Muhammad Khan and Justice Irshad Qaisar 50 FC platoons, or 2,150 personnel, will reach their headquarters on Monday (April 22).
The bench was told 10 platoons deployed for the security of multinational companies, 15 platoons from Karachi, five from Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) and 20 deployed to protect diplomatic missions will be relocated.
Presently, 113 FC platoons are deployed outside the province, while 80 are currently assisting the army in military operations in the tribal areas.
The FC was originally meant to stay on the border of the tribal and settled areas to stop the infiltration of militants. K-P government demanded the redeployed FC troops be brought back when the security situation worsened.
The federal government, however, delayed the matter despite repeated requests. The provincial government then sought the PHC’s help by filing an application with the court in May 2012. The application was later turned into a writ petition.
During the hearing on November 6, the interior ministry assured the court of sending the troops back, which led to the disposal of the petition. But after failing to do so, the court took suo motu notice of the issue and on February 19 warned the ministry of initiating contempt proceedings if it failed to relocate the force.
On April 11, PHC issued bailable arrest warrants for the interior joint secretary and section officer for failing to comply with court orders and also ordered putting their salaries on hold.
“Forces’ strength needs to be enhanced keeping in view the law and order situation of a particular place. The situation worsens with each passing day as the polls are around the corner,” said Justice Khan, adding the Shaikhan Grid Station attack could have been prevented had the FC been there. Militants attacked the grid station on the outskirts of the city earlier this month, leaving two people dead. The attackers also kidnapped nine people.
On Thursday, Malik informed the bench that in compliance to the orders, the ministry has ordered relocation of 50 platoons, adding the rest will be sent back soon. The court later withdrew the arrest warrants of the officials after their bail was submitted and adjourned the case till May 7.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 19th, 2013.
The federal government finally assured the Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Thursday that the Frontier Constabulary (FC) troops deployed in other parts of the country would be relocated to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).
Ministry of Interior Senior Joint Secretary Law Khusdil Khan Malik told a division bench comprising PHC Chief Justice Dost Muhammad Khan and Justice Irshad Qaisar 50 FC platoons, or 2,150 personnel, will reach their headquarters on Monday (April 22).
The bench was told 10 platoons deployed for the security of multinational companies, 15 platoons from Karachi, five from Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) and 20 deployed to protect diplomatic missions will be relocated.
Presently, 113 FC platoons are deployed outside the province, while 80 are currently assisting the army in military operations in the tribal areas.
The FC was originally meant to stay on the border of the tribal and settled areas to stop the infiltration of militants. K-P government demanded the redeployed FC troops be brought back when the security situation worsened.
The federal government, however, delayed the matter despite repeated requests. The provincial government then sought the PHC’s help by filing an application with the court in May 2012. The application was later turned into a writ petition.
During the hearing on November 6, the interior ministry assured the court of sending the troops back, which led to the disposal of the petition. But after failing to do so, the court took suo motu notice of the issue and on February 19 warned the ministry of initiating contempt proceedings if it failed to relocate the force.
On April 11, PHC issued bailable arrest warrants for the interior joint secretary and section officer for failing to comply with court orders and also ordered putting their salaries on hold.
“Forces’ strength needs to be enhanced keeping in view the law and order situation of a particular place. The situation worsens with each passing day as the polls are around the corner,” said Justice Khan, adding the Shaikhan Grid Station attack could have been prevented had the FC been there. Militants attacked the grid station on the outskirts of the city earlier this month, leaving two people dead. The attackers also kidnapped nine people.
On Thursday, Malik informed the bench that in compliance to the orders, the ministry has ordered relocation of 50 platoons, adding the rest will be sent back soon. The court later withdrew the arrest warrants of the officials after their bail was submitted and adjourned the case till May 7.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 19th, 2013.