Fallout: Heads roll over Ziarat Residency bombing

DPO, DC and SHO suspended; five police officers arrested.

QUETTA:

Heads have rolled over the June 15 bombing of Quaid-e-Azam’s residency in Ziarat after an initial report into the incident was presented to Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Malik Baloch on Wednesday.

District Police Officer, Deputy Commissioner and Station House Officer of Ziarat have been suspended in light of the report. Five police officers have also been arrested for showing dereliction of duty.

The report was presented to the chief minister by Inspector General Police Balochistan Mushtaq Ahmed Shukira. Malik described the incident as a result of administration’s negligence.

Meanwhile, during the Balochistan Assembly session, the CM said the government will protect the national assets and will not tolerate any negligence.

He said that if any assembly member attempts to influence the appointment of officers, they will be exposed.

“A minority advisory committee would be established for the rights of the minorities,” Malik said and added that collectively framed policies would be approved from the cabinet after thorough deliberations in the assembly.

Responding to an allegation levelled against him by the opposition leader with regards to withdrawing Rs30 million from the secret fund, Malik said, “I challenge the opposition members to make a committee and order the chief secretary to provide all the information and the committee should produce its report within 10 days, and if (misappropriation of) a single rupee is proved, punish me as a thief.”

He said the government would make transparent accountability in the assembly and no recommendations should be made for the appointment of officers as they have to establish good governance in the province.

Malik also promised to make schools and hospitals functional across the province and that every constituency would get the required funding.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 27^th, 2013.