QUETTA, March 22: The Balochistan chapter of the Pakistan Bar Council and the Balochistan Bar Association have decided to boycott the proceedings of courts in the province on Friday to condemn what they called security forces’ inhuman action in Dera Bugti, resulting in the killings of innocent people. At a meeting held here on Tuesday, the participants discussed the political situation in the province, with special reference to Dera Bugti where dozens of tribesmen and members of the Hindu community were killed.

The meeting expressed deep concern and resentment over the use of state machinery to achieve political objectives. The participants demanded of the government to file an FIR against officers of the Frontier Corps who were involved in the firing at innocent people.

The meeting also condemned the Fatehpur shrine tragic incident and the kidnapping and manhandling of Dr Hayee Baloch, chief of the National Party, and two other members of his party.

The meeting decided that for expressing solidarity with the families of the victims the lawyers throughout the province would boycott the proceedings of the courts on Friday and take out a protest rally in Quetta on Saturday.

Chaired by Balochistan High Court Bar Association president Amanullah Kanrani, the meeting was attended by Pakistan Bar Council vice-chairman Zahoor Shahwani, Supreme Court Bar Association vice-president Ashraf Tanoli, Senator Kamran Murtaza of the Balochistan Bar Association, Khuzdar Bar Association president Usman Umrani, Kalat Bar Association president Nasir Bungulzai and Khuzdar Bar Association secretary G.M. Buzdar.