News
Monday, February 20, 2012
SCBA to arrange seminar on Balochistan* Secretary says bar endorses PBC’s resolution against target killings of Baloch people
By Hasnaat Malik
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has decided to raise its voice for Baloch people and will soon arrange a seminar in the capital to discuss human rights violation in Balochistan.
Talking to Daily Times, SCBA Secretary General Aslam Zar said the bar was concerned over the worsening law and order situation in Balochistan, adding that it had, therefore, decided to arrange a seminar to discuss the Balochistan issue.
He said that all Baloch leaders would be requested to express their views at the event. He added that Baloch politicians who were “compelled” to live abroad would also be invited for their input on resolving Balochistan problems.
The SCBA secretary said that senior lawyers from Balochistan have also been asked to attend the seminar. He said that recommendations of Baloch participants would be forwarded to the government for implementation.
Aslam Zar said the bar was taking up the Balochistan issue on the recommendation of Asma Jahangir. He said the bar had rejected a US congressman’s resolution on Balochistan because it was the violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty. “Lawyers want issues of human rights violation in the province should be settled within Pakistan,” he added.
He said the SCBA had endorsed the Pakistan Bar Council’s (PBC) resolution against target killings of the Baloch people by state agencies.
“This house also condemns mysterious deaths and murders of the abducted persons who are found dead in various parts of Balochistan, and demands that those responsible for such murders be severely dealt with,” the PBC resolution said. The council decided that its Free Legal Aid Committee would provide free legal assistance to the relatives of the missing persons, the resolution added.
Meanwhile, Balochistan Bar Council Executive Committee Chairman Munir Ahmad Kakar said that although arranging a seminar on the Balochistan issue was a positive step, practical steps should be taken for wining the hearts of Baloch people.
Kakar said, “A state within the state is being run by security agencies in Balochistan.” He appealed to the chief justice of Pakistan to take up the matter on a priority basis.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk