Unlike the persistent episodes of deadly violence in previous weeks, the week in focus witnessed relatively low level of violence. The highlight of the week was the killing of a Frontier Corps– (FC) officer, when the latter was on a mine detection mission, near the Sorange coal mines in the suburbs of Quetta on October 25. In sum, three people were killed during this week in different acts of violence.
Balochistan assembly on October 26 passed a unanimous resolution, strongly condemning the flaws in voters– lists. The legislators slated NADRA for its inefficiency in maintaining the accurate lists.
The Kharotabad tribunal recommended the removal of two low level police officers on October 26, who were involved in the killing of five foreigners at Kharotabad.
Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani, on October 29, constituted a judicial commission to probe the target killing of Dr. Mazar Baloch.
Misappropriation of Rs 17.7 million was unearthed in an audit report of Balochistan education department on Monday, October 24.
Week in Review
a) Acts of Terrorism/Subversions and Abductions
- Two people were killed in different incidents of violence in Quetta on October 24. According to the details, unknown gunmen shot and killed Asfand Yar Nosherwani at Qambrani road. Police reached the spot and removed the body. In another incident, unidentified persons gunned down Maqsood Ahmad at Sirki road.[1]
- An FC official was killed when a landmine exploded near the Sorange coal mine, in the suburbs of Quetta on Tuesday morning, October 25. According to Mohammad Ishaq, the spokesperson for the FC, the slain FC officer was on a mine detection and removal patrol near the Sorange area when a mine explosion killed him instantly. Separatist Baloch outfit, Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the incident.[2]
- A 22-year-old resident of the restive Kohlu district threatened to self-immolate if her brother ´ who was whisked away by security agencies on September 20, 2011 ´ was not set free. Addressing a news conference at the hunger strike camp set up by the Voice for Baloch Missing Persons outside the Quetta Press Club on October 28, she said Sher Ali Marri went to Hyderabad along with nine other people of her family, where he was picked up by security personnel near the Hyderabad ‘bakra mandi’ (cattle market) and has been listed missing ever since.[3]
b) Political Front
With a total of 11 members present, the Balochistan Assembly, in absence of quorum, continued proceedings and unanimously adopted two resolutions, on October 26, including one on flaws in voter lists in the province. No one pointed out the lack of quorum, which requires a minimum of 17 members to run the business of the house. Provincial Minister Zahoor Buledi tabled a joint resolution about serious flaws in the voter list. They seriously criticized the NADRA for inappropriate work regarding the voter lists. The lawmakers also condemned the target killing of Dr Mazar Baloch and urged law enforcement agencies to find the killers ‘If this continues then we, the lawmakers, will not be able to face the people,’ said Dr Fauzia Nazir Marri, adviser to the chief minister.[4]
Police on October 26 dismissed two officials from the service on the recommendation of the Kharotabad tribunal. Both the policemen are low-ranking security officials involved in the Kharotabad incident. According to the incident, five foreigners were killed on May 17 earlier this year in the Kharotabad area of Balochistan when police and FC personnel opened fire at them. However, the police and FC personnel claimed that the foreigners were armed and were suspected terrorists. The Balochistan government took notice of the incident and established a tribunal for the inquiry of the incident.[5]
Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani has established a judicial commission on October 29 to investigate the target killing of Dr Mazar Baloch. While he did not say who will be heading the panel, or whether it will be a judge from the superior judiciary, Raisani assured Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) members that the culprits will not be spared.[6]
c) Economic Front
The centuries-old water management system in Mastung, known as karez, is in serious jeopardy with underground water level almost descending to dead levels, creating acute shortage of the precious commodity (reported in the press on October 24). The system, which relies on wells linked by an underground canal that collect water in a basin, is at risk of fading out altogether due to the lack of interest of the authorities. The people of the area are going through hard times meeting their domestic and agricultural water needs because of acute water shortage.[7]
An audit report of the Balochistan Education Department indicates an embezzlement of Rs 17.7 million on October 24. The scam was discovered in the 2010-2011 audits. The auditor report said the Balochistan director of schools had boughtfurniture and laboratory equipment for schools costing Rs17.7 million at the end of the financial year 2009-10. However, the furniture and laboratory equipment were never delivered to the departments.[8]
With Eidul Azha just around the corner, Balochistan is witnessing unprecedented increase in illegal cattle and flock smuggling to Afghanistan and Iran. In the absence of proper checks, highways leading to the neighboring countries are packed with trucks and other vehicles carrying cattle and flocks. ‘I have a huge stock of cattle that is being smuggled to Afghanistan, as I know I will be given a good amount in return,’ said Naimatullah Khan, a cattle dealer standing at a cattle market near Eastern Bypass on Sunday, October 30.[9]
[1]Balochistan violence: Two gunned down in Quetta, at http://tribune.com.pk/story/280649/balochistan-violence-two-gunned-down-in-quetta/
[2] FC personnel killed by landmine near Sorange coal mines–, at http://tribune.com.pk/story/281780/fc-personnel-killed-by-landmine-near-sorange-coal-mines/
[3] Girl threatens self-immolation outside Balochistan Assembly–, at http://tribune.com.pk/story/283790/girl-threatens-self-immolation-outside-balochistan-assembly/
[4] Balochistan Assembly: NADRA under heavy criticism in sparsely-attended session–, at http://tribune.com.pk/story/281991/balochistan-assembly-nadra-under-heavy-criticism-in-sparsely-attended-session/
[5] Kharotabad incident: Police dismiss two officials named in tribunal report–, at http://tribune.com.pk/story/282320/kharotabad-incident-police-dismiss-two-officials-named-in-tribunal-report/
[6] Balochistan CM: Raisani orders judicial probe into doctor murder–, at http://tribune.com.pk/story/284433/balochistan-cm-raisani-orders-judicial-probe-into-doctors-murder/
[7] Eco-friendly water supply: Karez system at risk of collapse in Mastung–, at http://tribune.com.pk/story/280673/eco-friendly-water-supply-karez-system-at-risk-of-collapse-in-mastung/
[8] Rs17.7m embezzled from Balochistan Education Department–, at http://tribune.com.pk/story/280775/rs17-7m-embezzled-from-balochistan-education-department/
[9] Porous borders: Cattle smuggling from Balochistan spikes–, at http://tribune.com.pk/story/284960/porous-borders-cattle-smuggling-from-balochistan-spikes/