ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Balochistan chief secretary to appear before the court to explain as to what measures had been taken to protect the lives and property of the people in the province.
A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and comprising Justice Muhammad Sair Ali and Justice Ghulam Rabbani, heard a constitutional petition filed by the Balochistan High Court Bar Association (BHCBA) president against target killings, kidnapping for ransom, etc, in the province.
The court also directed the chief secretary to take instructions from the Balochistan chief minister to overcome the incidents of target killings, kidnappings and the poor law and order situation in the province.
Attorney General Maulvi Anwarul Haq, Additional Advocate General Balochistan Azam Khattak and Tariq Mahmood Advocate appeared before the court. The chief justice observed that nobody’s life was being protected in the province and even a DIG’s house came under attack.
“What measures are being taken by the law enforcement agencies in the province?” the chief justice asked the additional advocate general. He further said that Police Lines area was situated in the cantonment, the most sensitive area, and still it was attacked.
The attorney general submitted that long- and short-term policies were needed for controlling the law and order situation in the province. “Call the chief secretary and we will ask him as to what measures are being taken for protecting the lives of the people,” the Justice Iftikhar asked the AG, adding that there was no dearth of honest and dutiful persons in the country and they should be appointed for controlling the law and order situation. “Somebody has to inform us as to whether any solid strategy is being adopted to improve the law and order situation,” Justice Sair Ali observed.
The chief justice observed that the government should be thankful to the petitioners who had filed such an important petition of public importance. He further said that people of the province were protesting in front of the Parliament House, however, nobody was taking notice of it.
“You should visit the protest camp and enquire about the miseries of the people the province,” the chief justice told the Balochistan additional advocate general. “It is the duty of the state to protect the lives and property of the people,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, the court summoned the Balochistan chief secretary and adjourned further proceedings till today (Tuesday).
