News
Thursday, May 03, 2012
Deteriorating law and orderSC summons Balochistan CM, home minister
* Court says Raisani, Zehri should give surety that they will protect life and property of people
By Mohammad Zafar
QUETTA: The chief justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, on Wednesday summoned Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani and Home Minister Zafarullah Zehri for today (Thursday) while hearing the case on deteriorating law and order in the province.
The court asked the two to provide, under Article 9 of the constitution, assurances that they would protect the lives of the citizens and put an end to the phenomenon of recovery of bodies in the province. The three-judge bench, whose two other members are Justice Khilji Arif Hussain and Justice Tariq Pervez, took serious exception to the recovery of two bullet-riddled bodies of missing persons whose relatives appeared before the court on Tuesday.
The court noted that police and provincial government had not been providing assurance to the court regarding the protection of life and property of citizens. Earlier, the bench asked the Balochistan inspector general of police to give a guarantee that no more bodies will be found in the province. The IG said police will make utmost efforts to ensure the protection of citizens’ life, but cannot give any guarantee.
Balochistan Chief Secretary Yaqoob Fateh Muhammad informed the court that the government had convened a meeting on missing persons’ issue. He said FC, ISI and MI did not give any response when they were provided with the list of 62 missing persons. Meanwhile, Justice Tariq Pervez remarked judiciary was not helpless and will go to any extent to ensure the implementation of law. The chief justice said provincial ministers were involved in kidnappings, and categorically stated the court will not sit silent on these issues and will ensure the implementation of constitution.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk