Latest news with #BalochistanHighCourt
Business Recorder
22-07-2025
- Business Recorder
State will ensure justice: CM terms Degari killing case ‘test case'
QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti on Monday clarified that there was no marital relationship between the man and woman who were brutally killed in an alleged honour killing in Sanjeedi Degari, a suburb of Quetta. Terming it a 'test case' for his administration, he vowed that all those responsible for the crime would be brought to justice. Speaking at an emergency press conference in Quetta, the chief minister said that 11 suspects had so far been arrested, and law enforcement agencies were conducting raids to apprehend more. 'Whoever is involved in this case will be arrested, produced before a court, and punished in accordance with the law,' he asserted. CM Bugti rejected the widespread impression on social media that the deceased were a recently married couple. 'There was no marital relationship between the two,' he said, adding that both the woman and the man were already parents—she had five children and the man had five or six. The clarification comes in the wake of a disturbing video that went viral last week, purportedly showing the execution of the couple in the name of honour. The incident, believed to have taken place days before Eid-ul-Azha, sparked national outrage and prompted the Balochistan High Court to take suo motu notice. The chief minister said the provincial administration had taken notice of the incident even before the video gained attention on social media. He reiterated his commitment to ensuring justice, stating that the state would not abandon the oppressed. 'This case involves victims, and the state is firmly standing with them,' he said. He also confirmed that the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) concerned had been suspended for negligence, and further disciplinary actions would be taken against those who failed in their duties. Calling the Degari killings a 'test case,' Bugti stressed that no individual or group could be allowed to operate above the law. He said the incident had raised questions about the misuse of Jirga systems and tribal authority in criminal matters. 'No attempt is being made to disarm tribal society, but no society can condone such killings,' he said. 'The factors behind this crime must be uncovered. Jirgas that promote such actions are being actively stopped by the state. The government will be run under the Constitution.' In response to questions about the broader law and order situation in the province, the chief minister said that security forces had killed 10 militants in an operation conducted the previous day. 'These terrorists seek soft targets and attempt to flee after carrying out attacks. But our forces are effectively countering them,' he said. Bugti criticised elements that he claimed were exaggerating the security threat in Balochistan, stating that the situation was gradually improving. 'The people should not be afraid. We are defeating terrorism and will restore peace across the province.'
Express Tribune
21-07-2025
- Express Tribune
14 netted in shocking public killing of couple
At least 14 suspects have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the brutal public killing of a man and a woman in Balochistan, authorities said on Monday, a day after a video of the execution went viral on social media. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti confirmed the arrests of 11 people in a statement and later told a press conference that all those involved would be brought to justice. He assured that action would be taken in accordance with the law. The news of the arrests came as Balochistan High Court (BHC) Chief Justice Rozi Khan Barrech took suo motu notice of the killings and summoned the additional chief secretary (Home) and the inspector general (IG) of police to appear before the court and provide a briefing on the case on Tuesday (today). The case is being investigated by the Serious Crimes Investigation Wing (SCIW), according to the police. Quoting local police officials, Reuters reported that the number of arrested people rose to 14. Investigation Officer Naveed Akhtar stated that he and his team reached Sanjidi, a locality in Dagari on the outskirts of Quetta, where they confirmed that the double murder had occurred three days before Eidul Azha. The victims, identified as Bano Bibi and Ihsanullah, were the same individuals seen in the viral video. IG Moazzam Jah Ansari told Reuters that the man who shot and killed the woman was her brother, acting on behalf of her family and tribe. According to the FIR, eight suspects were directly named, while 15 others remain unidentified. Investigators visited the Degari area, collected crucial forensic evidence, and recorded statements from local residents and tribal elders. A female police surgeon, part of the team, confirmed that the woman had sustained seven bullet wounds. One accused, Sardar Sher Baz Satakzai – the chief of the tribe who had ordered the killing – was produced in court. The court ordered police to exhume the bodies for an autopsy. The post-mortem report of the victims has now been made public, confirming that both were shot at close range in a brutal and calculated act of violence. Pakistanis were shocked on Sunday after a video surfaced on social media showing the brutal murders carried out in front of bystanders. The footage sparked national outrage and widespread calls for justice. Officials later said that the video was recorded around Eidul Azha – which was celebrated in June. The video shows people in a desert, and some pickup trucks and SUVs in which they had apparently been driven there. The woman is given a copy of the Quran and she then tells a man: "Come walk seven steps with me, after that you can shoot me." The man then follows her for a few steps. A local police official told Reuters the woman did not cry or seek mercy. "You are allowed only to shoot me. Nothing more than that," the woman says in the regional Brahui language, translated to the Reuters by the official. It was not clear what she meant by "nothing more than that". The man, who had followed her, then aimed a pistol at her as she turned her back to the shooter. The woman, wrapped in a shawl, stood still as shots were fired. She remained standing after two shots, delivered from close range, dropping to the ground after the third shot. That is followed by a series of gunshots. The footage then shows a bloodied man lying on the ground, close to the woman's body. Then, men are shown shooting at both the bodies. According to AFP report, the man first fired multiple shots at the woman and then shot at the man. "We have arrested over a dozen men for their involvement in the incident," a senior police official told AFP on condition of anonymity. The official said those arrested included a cousin of the woman and the tribal elder who headed the Jirga that ordered the killings. Chief Minister Bugti condemned the killings as utterly inhumane. "A case has been registered against all those involved and they will be prosecuted," he said. "Neither the society allows this [killing] nor the government. The government will not show any leniency to the accused." There were reports that the two were shot dead for marrying on their own, which was disapproved by their families. However, the chief minister said that they were not married together, adding that both had children – a mother of five and father of six – from their previous marriages. "This incident has gone viral on social media and the people want to know the truth. There are reports circulating on social media that the deceased were a newly-married couple, but [in fact] the two were not in a marital relationship," he said. "The woman who was killed in the incident has five children and her husband's name is Noor. The deceased man was also already married and had six children," the chief minister, said, adding however that both were brutally killed, which was unacceptable in any way. The most worrying thing about this case, the chief minister told the journalists, was that no one was ready to register a first information report (FIR) with the police. "The parents and children of the deceased were present, but no FIR has been registered so far," he added. Responding to a question, Bugti said that no one obtained this video from outside, rather, it was posted by the killers themselves. He said that in this era of social media, where news spread without research, such incidents must be investigated before forming an opinion. The chief minister acknowledged that tribal jirga system still prevailed. "There is no doubt that we are part of a society where the jirga system is still in place. Somewhere or other we are all coming under the influence of this system," he said, adding that the government would take action against these jirgas. Meanwhile, a murder case was registered under Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and relevant sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). The FIR stated that the victims were declared as "karo-Kari" – a term used for 'honour killings' in a tribal jirga led by tribal elder Sardar Sherbaz Khan Satakzai. Following the Jirga verdict, they were taken in vehicles to a remote area where they were shot dead. The complainant of the case said the gruesome act was filmed and circulated online, causing fear and panic among the public, it added. (WITH INPUTS FROM AGENCIES)
Express Tribune
21-07-2025
- Express Tribune
BHC CJ takes notice of 'honour' killing of couple
Listen to article The Chief Justice of the Balochistan High Court, Justice Rozi Khan Barrech, has taken suo motu notice of the brutal killing of a man and a woman, allegedly murdered in the name of honour, after a video of the incident went viral on social media. Chief Justice Barrech has summoned the additional chief secretary (Home) and the inspector general of police to appear before the court and provide a briefing on the case on Tuesday. The couple, who were not identified, were shot dead on the orders of a local tribal council last month in Balochistan, according to provincial authorities, who investigated after the video went viral. According to police, a case has been registered under Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code and relevant sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act. The FIR stated that the male and female victims were declared 'karokari' (a term used for 'honour killings') in a tribal jirga led by tribal elder Sardar Sherbaz Khan Satakzai. Following the verdict, they were taken in vehicles to a remote area where they were shot dead. The complainant of the case said the gruesome act was filmed and circulated online, causing fear and panic among the public. Read More: 11 arrested after couple shot dead in Balochistan over 'honour' Eleven suspects have been arrested, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said in a statement on Monday, hours after he announced that the location and people in the video had been identified. In a press conference, Bugti said both victims were already married with children. 'The woman had five children and her husband's name is Noor,' he said. 'The man was also married and had six children. There was no marital relationship between them.' The chief minister condemned the killings as 'utterly inhumane' and said neither the state nor society would tolerate such acts. 'All those involved will be arrested and brought to justice,' he added. آپ ڈیٹ: اب تک 11 ملزمان گرفتار کئے جا چکے ہیں، آپریشن جاری ہے۔ تمام ملوث افراد کو کیفرِکردار تک پہنچایا جائے گا۔ ریاست مظلوم کے ساتھ کھڑی ہے! — Sarfraz Bugti (@PakSarfrazbugti) July 20, 2025 Bugti noted that the case had gone viral online, prompting widespread public interest and misinformation. 'Many are wrongly reporting that the two were a newly-wed couple. That is simply not true,' he said. One of the most troubling aspects of the case, Bugti said, was the reluctance of anyone to come forward and file a First Information Report (FIR). 'The parents and children of the victims are present, yet no one is registering a case,' he said. 'When police attempt to investigate, men vanish from the area and women pelt stones at officers,' he added. He also revealed that the viral video of the killings was not leaked externally. 'This video was not obtained from outside sources. The murderers themselves posted it,' he said. ڈیگاری قتل کیس ' سرفراز بگٹی کی پریس کانفرنس قتل ہونیوالی خاتون اور مرد کے کتنے بچے ہیں ؟ اصل قاتل کون کون ؟ ابتک کتنے لوگوں کو گرفتار کیا جاچکا ہے ؟ وزیر اعلیٰ کا سخت ایکشن ' کوئی بچ نہیں پائیگا کوئٹہ ' وزیر اعلیٰ بلوچستان میر سرفراز بگٹی کی پریس کانفرنس ' بلوچستان کے علاقے… — Daily Qudrat ( Latest News ) (@DailyQudrat) July 21, 2025 The government, he said, is carrying out a full investigation and intends to present the culprits in court soon. 'This is an era where unverified news spreads fast. I urge everyone to verify facts before sharing,' Bugti cautioned. He further acknowledged that parallel justice systems still influence Pakistani society. 'We are part of a culture where jirgas [tribal courts] still operate,' he said. 'But the government is taking constitutional action against such systems.'
Express Tribune
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
President appoints CJs for all four HCs
President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday appointed the chief justices for all four provincial high courts, according to notifications issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice. The notifications, identical in content, confirmed that the appointments were made under Clause (1) of Article 193 of the Constitution, which governs the procedure for appointing high court judges. The appointments will take effect from the date the respective justices take their oath of office. Justice Sarfraz Dogar has been appointed as the new Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court, while Justice Rozi Khan Barrech will serve as the Chief Justice of the Balochistan High Court. Justice Syed Muhammad Attique Shah has been named Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court and Justice Junaid Ghaffar will assume the top judicial post at the Sindh High Court. The newly appointed chief justices are expected to be sworn in later this week. President Zardari will administer the oath to Justice Dogar at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, whereas the governors of the respective provinces will conduct the oath-taking ceremonies for the remaining three high court heads.
Express Tribune
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Sister challenges Mahrang's detention in apex court
A sister of Baloch rights activist Dr Mahrang Baloch has approached the Supreme Court against an order of the Balochistan High Court (BHC) in her sister's detention case. A division bench of the BHC on April 15 dismissed Dr Mahrang's petition against her detention under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance, 1960, stating that an alternative remedy was available to the activist in the shape of a representation. The bench had also converted the petition into a representation and directed its office to present it before the competent authority constituted for the purpose of deciding representations under the MPO. The petitioner, Nadia Baloch, contended that the BHC erred in holding that a petition could be filed before a court only after exhausting the option of filing a representation. The petition argued that the high court in its writ jurisdiction is competent to intervene and directly grant relief to a petitioner by determining the legality of an MPO order without the need of the detained person making a representation. It said that the BHC did not consider Dr Mahrang's right to file habeas corpus petition. "[This is her] high prerogative right and a constitutional remedy for all matters if illegal confinement," the petition said.
