CJP Iftikhar Ch. takes suo motu on Shia killings
19 February, 2013
ISLAMABAD: Taking suo motu notice of the massacre of Hazara community members, Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Monday issued notice to the attorney general of Pakistan and Balochistan advocate general, and fixed the case for hearing today (Tuesday).
The chief justice took notice on an office note initiated by the Supreme Court registrar based on previous judicial orders of the court in the Balochistan law and order case and details of powerful explosions in Quetta, one at Bacha Khan Chowk and other on the Alamdar Road on January 10, which caused the death of more than 93 people. Taking notice of the incident, the chief justice passed the order, "The matter be fixed in the court on 19.2.2013. Notices be issued to the advocate general, Balochistan and the attorney general of Pakistan."
The terror attack in Hazara Town Quetta on Saturday, February 16 left 87 citizens dead and two hundred injured. The incident caused a furore amongst the Hazara community, not just in Quetta but across the country. Hazara community members in Quetta and people all over the country are protesting against the attack. Various leaders, both religious and political, have criticised the performance of police and other law and enforcement agencies in curbing terrorism in the Balochistan.
Talking to our sources, Chaudhry Faisal Hussain, who assists the attorney general of Pakistan in the court, urged the Supreme Court to take strict action against the high officials of police and intelligence agencies, saying that they have been failed to protect the lives of Hazara people. He also said that the court should also take notice against those who are providing safe havens to terrorists in Punjab.
It must be noted that during the hearing of Balochistan law and order case on February 15, the chief justice had said that the state is responsible for enforcement of fundamental rights enshrined in Article 9 of the constitution; therefore any step that is taken must be to protect the fundamental rights of people of Balochistan.
The next hearing of the case is fixed on March 6. The bomb blast in Quetta has sparked nationwide protests and demands for action against the perpetrators. Hazara people have called on the military to take control of Quetta after, and threatened to stage a long march to the capital if their demands are not met.
End.
|
