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