Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed Balochistan’s chief secretary and inspector general of police (IGP) to submit replies with a clear point of view in Quetta carnage suo motu case.

“We will go step-by-step and the generalised stories you are narrating before us would not work. Specific questions are asked and specific answers will be given and we will see how you rule out the court’s orders,” Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, a member of three-judge bench, warned the chief secretary and the IGP. The court also issued notices to the Interior Ministry and attorney general to submit the federal government’s reply on law and order situation and status of compensation for the martyred of the Quetta attack. The top court also directed provincial health secretary to immediately make trauma centre of the Civil Hospital Quetta functional. The court further ruled that security should be provided to the hospital. Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, heading the three-judge bench, sought from the IGP the details of investigations into the tragic incident. Besides submitting a confidential report on the Quetta carnage, the IGP told the court that the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) “was not cooperating in investigations”. Advocate Hamid Khan told the court that law enforcement agencies had failed to take any precautionary measure to avoid further disaster. Recalling the incidents after the Quetta blast, he said VIP movement in cantonment area delayed the first aid being provided to the injured, which raised the death toll. “Had there been any sincerity, dedication and commitment on the part of the administration, this uncalled horrific incident could have been controlled, but unfortunately instead of attending to the serious disaster, reportedly, other officials went to attend the VVIP’s to secure their jobs and seek blessings and favours from them,” said Advocate Hamid. Justice Umar Ata Bandial said it had been six months but even the record of blood banks had not been taken. He said the provincial government had learnt nothing from the past despite three major incidents. Advocate Ali Ahmed Kurd informed the court that no progress in the investigation had been made so far, adding that the police were busy in providing protocol to VIPs. He said that federal and provincial governments had not suspended even a single officer. Later, the court fixed October 4 for further hearing at the Supreme Court Quetta Registry.