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Published 17 Jul, 2013 10:51pm

Lawmakers express concerns over Balochistan unrest

QUETTA: Treasury and opposition benches in Balochistan Assembly have expressed serious concern over deteriorating law and order situation in Quetta and other parts of the province.

Session of Balochistan Assembly started here on Wednesday with Speaker Jan Muhammad Jamali in the chair. Newly elected member from PML-N, Ghullam Dastagir Badini took oath as an MPA during the session.

Chief Minister Balochistan Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, while wrapping up debate on deteriorating law and order situation in the province, overtly admitted that his government could not stop Women University, Hazara town and Bolan Medical Complex Hospital bombings.

He, however, justified that he and his allied partners were among the victims of terrorism soon after the tragedies. “Terrorism has multiple dimensions here.” he said, referring to repeated terrorist attacks in the city.

The chief minister said a strategy was being evolved to reform police and levies to deal with the growing threat of terrorism and sectarianism in the province.

Regarding rise in incidents of kidnappings, Dr Baloch said law enforcers had recovered people from Naseerabad and other towns of Balochistan after successful operations. “One change is there, now no MPA is involved in kidnappings,” he said.

Former home minister Balochistan Mir Zafarullah Zehri on the flour of the house had stated that three ministers of Nawab Raisani led cabinet were involved in kidnapping for ransom.

The CM said police officials involved in extortion and other illegal activities were being removed from their posts.

Opposition leader, Maulana Wasey said incidents of kidnappings for ransom on constant rise as the law enforcers appeared to be helpless before kidnappers. He said members of Hindu community were kidnapped and there was no information about their whereabouts.

Wasey urged upon treasury and opposition benches to work together for restoration of traditional peace in Balochistan.

In his stormy speech, Senior Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri observed that if justice was not provided to common people, they would pick up guns. “A system of reward and punishment must be established,” he said, adding that a vibrant and fair legal system can ensure peace in the restive province.

Member from Dera Bugti, Sarfaraz Bugti intervened and said that three people were murdered in Sui and explosives were planted in their bodies. He said the explosives exploded even when they were buried in graves in Dera Bugti.

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