FC in the spotlight

E-Paper | June 13, 2026

CHIEF Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry has said that “90 per cent” of people accuse the Frontier Corps of abductions in Balochistan and that “prima facie” evidence also pointed to the paramilitary force’s involvement in enforced disappearances in the troubled province. This, according to Justice Chaudhry, was evidence the Supreme Court could not ignore. The CJ made these observations on Monday at the hearing of a petition on law and order and human rights in Balochistan before a three-judge bench of the apex court. The FC inspector general was in court for the hearing. While the FC alone cannot be blamed for the enforced disappearances in Balochistan, most of the province falls under the so-called ‘B’ areas — regions that do not fall under police jurisdiction but where the FC is responsible for security. Hence it is important for the force to explain the situation.

It is commendable that the chief justice is taking personal interest in the plight of the missing, especially when no state institutions have come forward to investigate the enforced disappearances. Only action at the highest level can lead to the recovery of missing persons and bring to an end the practice of abductions. It is tragic that there are such strong suspicions that the state’s security apparatus is involved in kidnapping and torturing people. The practice of abducting, killing and dumping the bodies of dissidents is a matter of national shame. We feel the security establishment has the key to unlocking the ‘mystery’ of missing persons and bringing to an end the practice of enforced disappearances; the apex court should pursue this important case until all missing persons are traced. Perhaps more than anything else, enforced disappearances are the biggest factor fuelling disaffection in Balochistan. The FC chief told the court the force is not involved in abductions and that all efforts would be made to trace the missing persons. We hope this is true; all security agencies, especially the intelligence, should realise that this is what must be done. The abduction and torture of dissidents is unacceptable in a civilised society and makes a mockery of due process.

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Shahid

May 16, 2012 04:36pm

Blaming one organization for the lack of law and order or the menace of disappearances will lead us no where. A province which suffers from bad governance or worst no governance, where most of the area is kept out of police jurisdiction, where the tribal chief is all in all in the lives of ordinary people, getting after one institution will be like drop in the ocean. Where by the court action is commendable, what is required is a whole some national level strategy to address all of the above and more of the problems affecting this province. But hope for such an action is extremely bleak, when provincial ministers are accused of invovlment in kidnappings and federal rulers are fighting their cases in the same courts which are championing the cause of Missing Balochs. May God help us

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Imran

May 16, 2012 09:02am

court should take action against any one violating law and which infact is harming the very fiber of our national integrity.atleast there is a place where people of this country can go and speak to be listened.but at the same time its time to evolve such machanisms where law n order should improve in the country without the involvement of armed forces. civilian institutes and intelligence agencies must be made capable enough to tackle situtions developing inside our geographic boundries.army fc etc should not be involved in matters for which they are not meant for.but till the time civilian institutes dont come up to that desired level where intenal security is fully entrusted to them i think we have to live like what is commomly blamed on security forces.but we must not forget that in troubled times through which we are passing now, its only the armed force who are bearing the burnt of all blood shed along the poor masses of Paksitan.leadrship of the country is busy in rulling the country in rangella shah's fashion..

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Malek Tauqee -USA

May 16, 2012 06:41am

JAAN-e KALAAM: "We feel the security establishment has the key to unlocking the 'mystery' of missing persons and bringing to an end the practice of enforced disappearances; ..."

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Fuzail

May 16, 2012 07:49am

Excellent editorial. The security establishment always considered the rest of the country, including government and judiciary, as "bloody civilians". Like you said, this must come to an end immediately, but whether it will, remains to be seen.

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