Hazara killings case: SC says cleanup operation required in Balochistan

ISLAMABAD: Chief Jusitice Iftikhar Muhamamd Chaudhry said Thursday that elections were scheduled to take place and a cleanup operation was required in Balochistan.

A three member bench of the apex court was hearing the Hazara killings case during which the Chief Justice remarked that if those involved in the Quetta bombing were not arrested, acts of terrorism would continue.

Attorney General Irfan Qadri submitted replies from the Prime Minister Secretariat and Defence Minstry during the hearing. Balochistan’s Home Secretary informed the court that there were no intelligence reports regarding the Kirani road blast.

CCPO Quetta, Mir Zubair said terrorists changed their tactics as they created a water shortage in the area and placed the bomb in the water tanker. This prompted the Chief Justice to ask why the water tanker was not checked as technology made this process easy. The CJ inquired where the tanker had been made, who had designed it and if they had been arrested. “Are the police not aware of developments in the area?”

The CCPO informed that 183 people had been included in the investigation while assuring the court of a huge breakthrough soon.

The Chief Justice remarked that a community which had been targeted repeatedly should be offered special protection, the FC report did not mention any arrangements and it should be submitted with the FC Commandant’s signature once again.

The CCPO and Balochistan Home Secretary saw the report and submitted their replies. Meanwhile, PPP MNA Nasir Shah said Interior Minister Rehman Malik had warned that the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and Taliban were trying to delay elections. The Chief Justice replied that if Malik had information he should share it with law enforcement agencies.

The hearing of the case has been adjourned February 26.