Kidnapping for ransom: Supreme Court orders IG Balochistan to register cases against ministers

Supreme Court on Thursday directed Inspector General Police Balochistan to register cases against the provincial ministers allegedly involved in kidnapping for ransom in the province. A three-member bench comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain and Justice Tariq Pervez here on Thursday resumed hearing of the constitutional petition by Balochistan High Court Bar Association (BHCBA) regarding poor law and order situation in the province.
During the course of hearing the bench took notice of the provincial Home minister statement regarding involvement of some provincial cabinet members in kidnapping for ransom cases, and directed the provincial police officer to get ascertained the names of the accused members from the minister and register cases against them.
The Chief Justice expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in the province and remarked that the concerned departments have failed to ensure security to the citizens. He observed the performance of law enforcement agencies was poor as explosive laden vehicles entered the city without check.
Justice Tariq Pervez said that he had himself witnessed over 30 people possessing weapons in Quetta during his brief visit of the provincial capital while even the police officials in plain cloths could not hold the arm under the law. On being informed by the Provincial Home Secretary about strength of provincial Police, Levies and Balochistan Constabulary departments, the Chief Justice called the number of law enforcement agencies officials sufficient to maintain law and order across the province. The Chief Justice recommended for adopting modern security apparatus including CCTV camera to trace the culprits. The Chief Justice remarked that 300-400 bodies had been recovered but a single case was not registered by the police department.
He inquired about the payment for compensation to the families of the deceased. "No one is above the law and police department has got the right to inquire any one about the crime," the Chief Justice added. The bench summoned the Inspector General Balochistan Frontier Corps for April 5.
The Chief Justice said the law should be adhered at all cost to restore peace to the province. The bench ordered the provincial police officer to ensure recovery of the seven persons who went missing from Sariab Mill by Friday. The Chief Justice directed for holding of the local government elections to stabilise situation in the province, adding that delay in the elections is a violation of law.