Noting that that Balochistan had turned into a war zone and a safe haven for kidnappers, extortionists and killers, the Supreme Court (SC) directed the provincial government to recover all missing persons, make atmosphere peaceful and election friendly in Dera Bugti, launch an operation against the people involved in targeted killings and submit a report to it at the earliest.
A three-member SC bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, passed the remarks while hearing the Balochistan law and order case on Wednesday.
The Balochistan chief secretary, IGP, home secretary and other officers were present for the hearing.
The court was told, “Eight districts have been declared sensitive in the province. These districts include Qalat, Dera Bugti, Turbat, Gwadar and Khuzdar. General elections in Balochistan will take place simultaneously with the entire country. The governor is convening tribal jirga in this connection. The army will be deployed in specific districts if need be. The number of voters has been reduced from 95,000 to 59,000 in Dera Bugti. Therefore, we are trying to review electoral lists of 2008.”
The CJP expressed displeasure over non presentation of a clear report on missing persons and law and order, remarking why had the court not been made cognisant of missing persons’ matter and the law and order in the province.
The court was further told that payment of compensation had been made to the victims of HazaraTown tragedy and others and steps were being taken to improve the law and order.
“Training is being imparted to the Balochistan police to deal with terrorist acts and security is being provided to Chinese workers at Gwadar. Work on the construction of Kachchi canal on an area of 100,000 acres is underway in Dera Bugti,” the court was informed.
The CJP observed, “Balochistan has been turned into a war for ransom, kidnapping, target killing and extortion money. Effective steps will have to be taken for restoration of peace in the province. Recovery of missing persons is a vital issue and focus will have to be placed on it. Children hold demonstrations by carrying pictures in Balochistan. No one is there to wipe away their tears. We will try to proceed to Quetta in the second week of April,” he said.
The hearing of the case was adjourned till April 4.
