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CJP
for resolving Balochistan issue before entering into blind alley
ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry remarked
Friday Balochistan issue would have to be sorted out before entering into a blind
alley.
"Court has to work in tune with law and constitution. No one should
have any doubt about court's powers and jurisdiction. Army is our own army. We
will have to address Balochistan problem before it that we enter into a blind
alley", he made these remarks while presiding over a 3-member Supreme Court
(SC) bench during the course of hearing of Balochistan law and order case.
Chief
Secretary told the court contacts were made with Prime Minister and heads of ISI
and MI with reference to statement given by Sardar Akhtar Mengal. A joint meeting
of defence minister, army chief, attorney general, information minister and DG
ISI has taken place.
Chief Secretary presented a joint reply of federation
and intelligence agencies in the court. Refuting all the allegations leveled by
Sardar Akhtar Mengal the reply said no military operation is being launched in
Balochistan. No missing person is in the custody of intelligence agencies nor
ISI or MI has any death squad, reply added.
Attorney General (AG) tried to
file a separate reply from federation with reference to Sardar Akhtar Mengal statement
but the CJP did not allow him to do so saying chief secretary has filed reply
and Akhtar Mengal statement will not be discussed now.
President, Prime Minister,
Nawaz Sharif, Imran and others will have to work to evolve a political solution
to this problem, CJP remarked. "Balochistan means Pakistan", he added.
The CJP issued directives to provide copies of joint reply to all parties.
CJP
said next hearing of the case would take place on October, 8 at Quetta. Situation
in Balochistan is deteriorating day by day. Return of Baloch leader Akhtar Mengal
a major breakthrough. This is a marathon opportunity and this matter will have
to be resolved with all seriousness, he observed.
"Government has already
refuted these charges and we will deal with this matter on case to case basis
and reach some conclusion in this case", he said.
CJP inquired if compensation
was being paid to the heirs of missing persons. Chief secretary replied it was
being paid. Compensation is no alternative to human lives, CJP observed.
Later
the court directed chief secretary Balochistan, IG FC and other authorities to
file report in the court every week in respect of missing persons and law and
order situation.
Court also allowed to make part of the record the proposals
given by Sadiq Umrani MPA on the improvement of law and order situation.
"Eyes
well up with eyes when the tragic incidents of Balochistan assail our ears. Rulers
should see tears in the eyes of people and put salve on their wounds, CJP said.
"
May be judges undertake surprise visit of affected areas. We want to go to Awaran,
Noshki and Dera Bugti. This visit will be personal not judicial, CJP remarked.
The
hearing was adjourned till October 8.--Online