Reposted from DailyTimes.com.pk | February 10, 2011 | Original story

SC seeks reply from spy and law enforcement agencies

* Court directs government to submit report about measures taken to overcome deteriorating law and order

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court, on Wednesday, directed all the respondents, including spy and law enforcement agencies, to file para-wise comments on a petition against the rising incidents of targeted killing, kidnapping and abduction in Balochistan.

The court also issued notice to the attorney general of Pakistan and Balochistan advocate general in this regard.

A four-member apex court bench, comprising Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Muhammad Sair Ali, Justice Ghulam Rabbani and Justice Khalilur Rehman Ramday, heard the petition filed by the Balochistan High Court Bar Association (BHCBA) president under Article 184(3) of the constitution, making the federal government along with nine others as respondents.

On Wednesday, the court directed the government to ensure protection to the life and property of all the citizens of Balochistan and submit a comprehensive report as to what measures had been taken to overcome the deteriorating law and order situation in the province.

The petitioner made Balochistan chief secretary, federal and provincial interior ministries, ISI, MI, IB, inspector general of police, FC and Levis IGs respondents in his petition.

He submitted that law enforcement agencies had failed to protect the life and property of the citizens, including advocates, officials, members of law enforcement agencies and the citizens.

Mentioning some instances, he said, on July 15, 2010, a senior advocate Habib Jalib was murdered in front of his house; on September 7, 2010, Zaman Marri was murdered and his dead body was recovered from Mastung area; on September 14, 2010, law enforcement agencies abducted three persons; on September 24, 2010, dead body of Sher Ali Kurd, who was abducted on September 21, 2010, from Quetta, was recovered from Khuzdar; on August 13, 2010, two dead bodies were recovered from Sabzal Road, Quetta; and on August 21, 2010, dead bodies of Muhammad Umer and Arz Muhammad were recovered from Quetta.

The petitioner said that the provincial governor and chief minister were also attacked, but even then no effective action was taken. He said that the media was widely publishing news about lawlessness in the province but the authorities at the helm of the affairs had failed to discharge their duties to protect life and property of the citizens. He also said that the authorities were bound to protect life, liberty and property of the citizens and to maintain their dignity, as well in terms of Article 9, 14 and 24 of the constitution.

The court adjourned the hearing till February 25.