News
Monday, August 12, 2013
Balochistan violence on SC’s radar; top brass summoned* CJP takes suo motu notice of terrorism incidents in province
* Hearing fixed on August 15 at Quetta Registry
ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Saturday took suo motu notice of the violence in Balochistan and summoned the top officials of the province.
The chief justice took the notice on a note of the registrar on the recent incidents of terrorism that occurred in Balochistan and caused death of several innocent citizens as well as personnel of law enforcement agencies, said a press release issued by the Supreme Court. The chief justice directed that the case of law and order situation in Balochistan and other relevant cases pending before the Supreme Court be fixed for hearing on August 15 at the Quetta Branch Registry along with cases of violence enumerated in the note of registrar.
The bench headed by the chief justice of Pakistan is already in Quetta to hear the case. The chief justice had arrived in Quetta last week to celebrate Eid in his native town. Chief Justice Iftikhar has summoned the attorney general, Balochistan advocate general and other officials concerned on Thursday. The bench headed by the chief justice will hear the case along with the Balochistan unrest case. On August 6, fourteen people, including security officers and passengers, were killed when rebels attacked two Punjab-bound buses in Mach area of Bolan District.
At least 40 people, including members of the police force, were killed and 60 others injured on Thursday when a lone suicide bomber penetrated through a strict security cordon placed around the Police Lines (a residential compound meant for the city police) and blew himself up, causing one of the worst tragedies for the Balochistan police force. Similarly, at least 10 people were killed and many others injured on Friday in an attack that targeted the Eidul Fitr prayers at a mosque near Quetta’s eastern bypass.
Moreover, at least six suspected militants were killed earlier on Sunday during an operation by security forces in Bolan district’s Mach area, whereas another two were killed in an attack on a Frontier Corps (FC) checkpost in Quetta’s Ispilanji area. Notices have been issued to the attorney general of Pakistan, Balochistan advocate general, interior secretary, Balochistan chief secretary, Balochistan home secretary, Balochistan inspector general of police, Quetta FC IG. They have been directed to explain government’s policy to combat violence/terrorism on August 15. agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk