The Supreme Court was informed on Monday that Rs 135 million had been paid to the heirs of 260 people killed in target killing in Balochistan in the last three years. A three-member Supreme Court bench of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Muhammad Sair Ali and Justice Ghulam Rabbani was hearing a petition filed by Balochistan High Court Bar Association President Hadi Shakeel against targeted killings, kidnapping for ransom etc in the province. Appearing on notice, Balochistan Chief Secretary Ahmed Bux Lehri presented a report on provincial law and order since 2009. According to the report, 260 people were killed and 512 injured in targeted killing since 2009, of which 181 dead bodies had been recovered.
The chief justice termed the report unsatisfactory and asked the chief secretary about the measures taken by the province so far to improve the law and order. The chief justice observed that the province’s law and order had worsened over the years. “This is not a time to sit behind closed doors. Some concrete measures must be taken to tackle the worsening law and order in the province,” the chief justice remarked. He said although the strength of security forces has been increased in various parts of the province, the law and order had not improved. He said the situation had gone out of hand after the killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti, Ghulam Muhammad and Lala Munir.
The chief secretary, however, submitted that all available and possible resources were being utilised to improve law and order and control target killings across the province. Lehri sought additional time to improve the situation in the province. Accepting his request, the bench adjourned proceedings until May 23, directing the chief secretary to ask the provincial government to take concrete steps for improving the law and order.