ISLAMABAD   -  The Supreme Court of Pakistan Thursday directed the Balochistan police to provide security to the Hazara community living in Quetta and make efforts for recovery of missing persons.

A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Gulzar Ahmed conducted hearing of a suo moto notice regarding target killing of Hazara community in Quetta. Abdul Khaliq Hazara and three others were kidnapped on 16th December 2017 but have recovered recently.

During the hearing, Advocate General Balochistan informed the court that the kidnapped persons have returned to their homes safely. The Chief Justice said that the police did not make efforts, but they have come back as they were released by kidnappers.  Justice Gulzar said that the police did nothing for their recovery and now they are scared, therefore, not taking name of anyone, because they are aware that the police instead of taking action against the accused would harass them.

He said that the Hazara community does not trust the provincial police, therefore, the IGP Balochistan should make efforts to restore their confidence in the provincial police.

Abdul Khaliq Hazara informed the court that they remained missing for 44 months and on the order of National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) his bank accounts were remained frozen due to that he could not drew his salary for the last three years.

The Chief Justice directed the Joint Secretary Ministry of Interior to look into the matter and get their accounts unfrozen. He ordered the IGP Balochistan to provide security to the Hazara community.

Barrister Iftikhar Raza Khan informed the court that the Hazara community persons face a lot of difficulties in obtaining passport, as the passport officials in Quetta demand extra documents than the required papers. Additional Attorney General Sajid Illyas Bhatti said that the extra documents are required not only from Hazara community but also the Pashtuns in Balochistan, as they might have migrated from Afghanistan.

The Chief Justice remarked that how the passport officials in Quetta could have different treatment with the Hazara community because they are also citizens of Pakistan. He stated that checking nationality is the job of NADRA and not the passport office.

The joint secretary informed that the extra documents by Hazaras are required by the agencies and not the passport officials. The Chief Justice observed that under the law the agencies officials could demand only those documents which are mentioned in the check-list for obtaining passport.

The joint secretary told that he would take up this matter with the Passport Office, Quetta.

Justice Gulzar ordered that if any official found committing excess then not only action would be taken departmentally, but case be registered against him/her as well.

The CJP said that the government servants’ job is not to cause problems for the people, but to facilitate them. If the Hazara community persons are applying for the passport, then the officials should not deny them their right. “Obtaining passport is the legal right of every citizen, which could not be denied by the government officials,” the CJP added.

Gul Agha, a woman from Hazara community, informed that her husband – Dr Ali Raza has been missing since 2013. She told that in the FIR two persons – Haji Abdur Rasheed and Fateh, allegedly involved, were nominated, but these persons are roaming free and threatening her.

The advocate general informed that Anti-Terrorism Court in Quetta has released Rasheed due to no evidence against them.

Justice Gulzar said that the police do not know how to conduct investigation. He said, “Evidence of a crime disappears within 24 hours. The police keep waiting for [bribes] to start investigation. You (police) do not respect the sanctity of your uniform. The police do not do what they are assigned to do [but] start doing something else.”

He remarked that a business of injustice is being operated. The country has been brought on the brink of disaster. Whenever a suspect is brought to the [court], he is acquitted because the investigation is incorrect.