QUETTA: A commission formed in the light of Islamabad High Court’s decision to review the grievances of Baloch students on Thursday and sought details of the persons killed during operation carried out by the Counter-Terrorism Department in parts of the province.
The details were sought during a meeting of the Commission which was chaired by Convener Sardar Akhtar Mengal at CM Secretariat here Thursday. The Additional Chief Secretary Home Department, the IGP Balochistan, the DIG CTD and Divisional Commissioners were prominent among others who attended the meeting.
During the course of the meeting, forced disappearances and other complaints of Baloch students were reviewed at length.
Additional Chief Secretary Home Department Balochistan said that cells had been set up in all divisional headquarters in light of the Commission’s instructions.
Chief Commissioner Mekran on the occasion said that the help desk had been set up but no complaint had been received so far while Commissioner Quetta said that he had received 4 applications which would be sent to the Home Department.
Commissioner Rakhshan Division said that help desks have been established, if any request is received, it will be processed.
Additional Chief Secretary Home Department Balochistan said that 700 applications were received in the Home Department Cell, while investigation had been started on 222 applications.
Commissioner Kalat on the occasion handed over the received applications and call log details to the commission.
DIG CTD Balochistan while briefing the commission said CTD was revamped in 2021 and a separate section of corporal was created.
He said that operations were being carried out in two ways, one is done by CTD itself and the other is in collaboration with intelligence agencies. He said that recently, TTP carried out three attacks in Balochistan.
To a question of Sardar Akhtar Mengal, convener of the commission, the Balochistan CTD DIG said that the operations are led by inspector/sub-inspector, and no joint operation was done with the army.
The convener of the commission questioned the CTD officials regarding some missing persons, the relevant information of which was provided by the CTD DIG. On the occasion, the Balochistan IG Police informed the commission regarding steps taken to restore confidence of the missing persons and the public and also gave some suggestions.
He said that steps were being taken to promote interaction with the public to end distrust. There is an urgent need for financial support from the federal government to make the police more effective. “I will try to ensure that there is transparency in whatever operation CTD does,” he added.
During the meeting, the Additional Chief Secretary Home expressed his concern over missing persons and said they realize the seriousness of the issue.
“There is a regular in-camera briefing on the issue of missing persons,” he said, adding that the government was firm to resolve the issue amicably.
