Security agencies 'sleeping' in Balochistan: SC
07 September, 2012
QUETTA: Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Chaudhry on Thursday said the lawyers of FC are saying that a foreign hand was involved in deteriorating situation in Balochistan.
The CJP added, "But I ask one thing that are the security agencies sleeping. Why are police, FC, Levies and district administration sitting idle? The incompetent officers must be removed."
He said this in his remarks during the hearing of the case regarding law and order situation in Balochistan at the Quetta Registry.
A three-member bench, headed by the CJP, expressed anger over the absence of interior secretary. Defence Secretary Lt Gen (r) Asif Yaseen Malik and Frontier Corps Inspector General Major General Obaidullah were present in the court.
The CJP asked the FC IG to submit a written reply in the court regarding his failure. On this, Gen Obaid said that he never wasted a single moment and performed his duty.
Justice Khilji Arif Hussain said that as many as 46 Shias were killed during six months in Balochistan.
Justice Chaudhry asked the defence secretary, "Tell the court in just two words whether you failed or you succeeded."
During the hearing, Hazara women presented facts and figures about target killings of Hazara people from 1999 to 2012. They told the court that their elders were still getting death threats.
The bench showed its resentment over killings of as many as 708 people from Hazara community from 1999 to date which was an alarming situation. Justice Khilji Arif Hussain said that Balochistan was the soul of Pakistan and saving it was extremely imperative.
Addressing the Balochistan chief secretary, the CJP said that there was a dearth of efficient officers in Balochistan and asked why had incompetent officers not been removed.
Justice Chaudhry said that despite the fact that the court was hearing the case for the past four days, there was zero progress on the issue, adding that no one was ready to take responsibility in the province.
He cited the example of a 16-year-old son of a businessman, who was kidnapped for ransom from Pishin District 16 days ago, but could not be recovered despite the presence of the deputy commissioner, police and Levies.
The counsel for FC, Raja Irshad, said that the situation in Balochistan was deplorable and some foreign forces were acting in the province.
Calling Balochistan a volcano ready to explode, he told the FC IG that the name of FC was repeatedly appeared in the missing persons' case.
"It is not right to say that we [FC] can't do anything," the CJP said.
The FC IG said the FC was being defamed under a pre-planned conspiracy and it was unfortunate for one institution to level allegations on the other.
Justice Khilji Arif Hussain pointed out media reports that a United Nations delegation was coming to review Pakistan's affairs. "If people outside the country start coming here to review our matters, imagine how much that will threaten our sovereignty," he warned.
Justice Hussain said that every one was sleeping under a blanket and that no one had any sense of responsibility.
During the hearing, Bansra Bugti, who was recovered from Dera Bugti and is the brother of missing person Kaho Bugti, appeared before the bench and recorded his statement.
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