ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Court on Friday directed the attorney general to bring into the notice of the prime minister the worsening law and order situation in Balochistan and submit within three days policy statement of the premier on the steps to improve the situation.
A three-member, bench comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Muhammad Sair Ali and Justice Ghulam Rabbani, was hearing a petition filed by the Balochistan High Court Bar Association president under Article 184(3) of the constitution, making the federal government and nine others as respondents.
The court also directed the chief secretary and inspector general police of Balochistan, Military Intelligence (MI) director general, the Frontier Constabulary (FC) inspector general and the Levies inspector general to submit reply over the worsening law and order situation of the province till March 2.
The court re-issued notices to those respondents who did not file their comments on the matter. Expressing concern over the rising incidents of target killings, kidnapping and abduction for ransom, the court observed the government had lost its writ in the province, adding both the provincial and the federal governments had been failed to maintain the law and order situation.
“If the governor and the chief minister are being attacked, how the common man would survive,” the court questioned. It said it was a matter of concern that both the governments were not taking steps to control the critical situation.
During the hearing, the chief secretary and inspector general police of Balochistan presented a report on the rising incidents of target killings, kidnapping and abduction in the province. Hadi Shakeel, counsel for the petitioner, told the court that more than 5,000 people were missing in the province and it was very difficult for the common man to travel in a majority of the areas, including Bolan and Turbat.
He said the law and order situation was not under the control of the security agencies. Even the people could not travel in expensive cars, he said and added key professionals and political workers were being killed.
Balochistan Additional Advocate General Azam Khatak told the court that some elements wanted to destabilise the province.
The chief justice said the reason of the current situation was that blue-eyed officials had been appointed in the province. The court adjourned further hearing till March 2.
