SC issues notices to IGPs of police, FC over Balochistan L&O situation

The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notices to inspector general of Balochistan police and IGs Frontier Corps (FC) North and South regarding the law and order situation in Balochistan. A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, was hearing a suo motu case related to law and order in Balochistan.
Former Chief Minister Abdul Malik Baloch, appearing before the bench, informed when he took charge, the people at that time in Balochistan were frightened to sing the national anthem and flutter Pakistani flag. Dr Malik said that Rs 300 billion to Rs 500 billion are required for various water schemes in Balochistan as the province is facing severe water shortage. He said in the present budget the federal government has not allocated a single penny for water schemes of Balochistan. "We have run the government in very difficult time," he said.
The Chief Justice asked from Dr Malik and Zehri whether water issue has been resolved. Justice Ijazul Ahsan said, "According to you, optimal resources were used on the development schemes, but on the ground there are no big and small schemes visible." Former Chief Minster Balochistan Sanaullah Khan Zehri explained that in 2013 the situation in the province was very different as compared to present situation. He said at that time in Quetta people were afraid to come out of their houses after 5:00pm. Hundreds of people including members of Hazara community were killed, he said, adding during his regime no such incident took place.
"We were not allowed to work freely," he, however, complained. He emphasized that law and order in the province was worst as there were many no-go areas even in Quetta, adding no such areas exist now due to his government's efforts. Dr Malik said, "This is our responsibility to provide basic facilities to the people of the province." He said during his period, the convocation of Balochistan University was held after 10 years, while convocation of Bolan University was organized after 15 years.
Sanaullah Zehri informed that Balochistan University had become a hub of terrorist activities and the professors were used to be killed. After listening to them, the Chief Justice said they are focusing on water and health issues. He said if the people at the helm of affairs did nothing in their tenures then they will fix the responsibility and hold them accountable.
The Chief Justice asked Zehri that according to him (Zehri), everything in the province is alright. The Chief Justice said the main hospital in Quetta does not have basic facilities. There is no incinerator and the medicines available to the people. Dr Malik said that he had established trauma center. Sanaullah Zehri said that in 2013 his caravan was attacked wherein his own son and brother were killed. "We contested election so that wrong message might not go internationally." "We have restored the respect of women in the province and improved law and order," he claimed.
The Chief Justice clarified it is neither an inquiry nor trial and adversarial proceeding, adding this matter is connected with the human rights issue and the court wants to support them (politicians) so that condition of ordinary person may improve. The Chief Justice asked Dr Malik and Sanaullah Zehri to appear before him in the Supreme Court Registry in Quetta on Friday.