Evidence against FC available in missing persons’ case, says SC

Expressing dissatisfaction with the performance of police and Frontier Corps (FC) in controlling the worsening law and order in Balochistan, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Monday said the missing persons were a key issue of the province and they could not shut their eyes as evidence existed against the FC. A three-member SC bench of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Jawwad S Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain was hearing a petition filed by the former president of Balochistan High Court Bar Association against targeted killings and kidnappings for ransom across the province, as well as the missing persons. In compliance with court’s earlier order, FC Balochistan Inspector General Major General Obaidullah Khan Khattak and the Balochistan IGP appeared before the court and assured that all efforts were being made for the recovery of three missing persons. On the last hearing, the CJ had taken strong exception of non-presence of the FC Balochistan IG in court, however, he appeared before the court on Monday. The CJ told Khattak there were evidences that the FC picked up missing persons. The IG, however, told the bench that this was not correct, as the FC was the one looking for the missing persons and making all out efforts to recover them.

The CJ, however, ordered to run the CCTV footage in the courtroom which showed that missing persons were being transported in FC vehicles. The chief justice pointed out to Khattak that according to the statement of ASI Amjad, missing persons were hurled away in an FC vehicle. But Khattak submitted that the said footage showed only the rear side of the vehicle; hence, it made no evidence for abduction. During the hearing, the CJ recalled that sufficient time was given to the FC to recover missing persons, but no progress had been made so far. The FC IG contended that most of the criminals used to wear FC uniform while carrying out criminal activities. He further informed the court that the force was being attacked and outlawed organizations were accepting responsibility for them, adding that both the FC and police had faced around 800 attacks. Justice Jawwad S Khawaja asked the FC IG if the force was responsible for conducting investigation. He further asked whether the force had made any progress in tracing out the 800 attacks. Khattak said he did not have the relevant record. Justice Jawwad S Khawaja said he had got his answer. The CJ told Khattak that they did not deny the sacrifices being made by the force, but it was its job to maintain confidence among the people. “Don’t you realize that fingers are being pointed at FC nowadays?” Justice Khilji Arif Hussain asked the FC chief. The CJ further said there was contradiction between the government and FC statements over the issue. He asked who should be approached for answers if the Rangers and police failed in their search for the missing persons. Khattak and the IGP, however, submitted that all efforts were being made for the recovery of three missing persons, adding that before coming to the court, they had convened a meeting and deliberated upon the issue. They assured the court that in the coming days, they would produce positive results in the case of three missing persons. At this, the court adjourned the hearing until May 21 and directed the Balochistan advocate general to supply copies of the court’s order to the FC IG, police and other authorities concerned.