QUETTA, Sept 5: The Supreme Court observed on Wednesday that the rising incidents of sectarian and target killings in Balochistan were tarnishing the country’s image internationally because the United Nations had already taken notice of the issue.

“A UN delegation will be visiting Pakistan to look into the matter. It will be dangerous for Pakistan’s sovereignty,” the court said.

A three-judge bench, comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, is hearing a petition on the law and order situation and human rights violations in Balochistan at the Quetta registry of Supreme Court.

“There is a wrong impression abroad because of many issues, including Dera Bugti, target killings of Shia community and missing persons,” the chief justice said, adding that despite repeated assurances by the authorities concerned, the issue of missing persons had not been resolved and state institutions had failed to produce them before the court.

He told the inspector general of Frontier Corps, Balochistan, that the court had expected that there would be some progress in the missing persons’ case and because of this it had not taken up the issue for three days. But, he regretted, there was no improvement in sight and fingers were again being pointed at the FC.

“I will take up that matter first in which people blame our forces,” Justice Iftikhar said.

Maj Gen Obaidullah Khattak, the FC chief, said the issue of law and order and missing persons should be seen in a broad prospective because restoring peace and order was a joint responsibility of all institutions. He rejected a perception that the FC was behind disappearances, terming it a conspiracy to malign his force.

Justice Khilji Hussain wondered who would be responsible if the FC became a source of infamy for the country.

The court said the officials concerned should accept in writing that the FC had failed to resolve the issue.

Bu Gen Khattak said the force was rendering sacrifices for restoring peace and making efforts to recover the missing. “Fifty per cent of the attacks were directed against my force and it is not possible for any other institution to face the danger we are facing.”

Chief Secretary Babar Yaqoob Fateh Mohammad informed the court that the Balochistan inspector general had stated in a report that the missing persons were in the custody of Frontier Corps.

But the FC chief rejected the claim and said it was very easy to blame that “Mr so and so” was with him.

The chief justice said the performance of FC was not satisfactory in many cases, including disappearance of Kaho Bugti and target killings on sectarian grounds. He said if security forces were not able to solve problems, they should inform the court in writing.

“We will talk to the governor and the chief minister on these issues,” he said, adding that if “we register a case against FC officials and handcuff a colonel what message will go to the army”.

The chief justice asked the chief secretary, Balochistan police chief, FC inspector general and other officials concerned to submit separate or joint statements on the missing persons’ issue.

“If anyone was found guilty or involved in terrorist activities he should be produced before the court,” the chief justice said, adding that it appeared that agencies were reluctant to share intelligence among themselves.

When the chief secretary said terrorists had latest weapons and technology, the chief justice said: “Should we go home and sleep; don’t tell us we can’t do anything.”

The home secretary informed the court that 24 people had lost their lives in target killings last month.

Justice Khilji said it appeared that it’s a one-day match.

The chief justice asked Advocate General of Balochistan Amanullah Kanrani to explain who was issuing permits for illegal cars.

He said there was no rule or law and these were being issued by army.

Justice Khilji said levelling allegations was so easy and asked did “you write any letter about that”.

“Weapons and non-customs paid cars are banned and that is violation of the Balochistan High Court orders. What are you doing; the crime won’t be controlled like this,” the chief justice told the FC chief.

“We started taking action against illegal cars, but we received a letter from the Prime Minister’s House that we can’t use anti-smuggling powers,” Gen Khattak said.

When Attorney General Irfan Qadir appeared before the court, the chief justice said “we did not order you to come”.

“I read newspapers; there are statements against me in ten newspapers,” the AG said.

Justice Jawad Khwaja said: “We can’t say anything to newspapers; the media is free.”

The chief justice told the attorney general: “We can’t call you till the federal secretary doesn’t write that; till that we will not hear you.”

Mr Qadir said: “I have cases everywhere and I am not a negative person. I am positive person and whenever the court calls me I will be available. The federation is concerned about the Balochistan situation.”

Two girls belonging to the Hazara community informed the court that their brothers and father had been killed. “No member of the Hazara community is safe. You should take action against the target killing of our people because you are the last hope for us,” the girls said, adding that engineers, doctors, lawyers and students belonging to the community were afraid to go out.

The chief justice ordered Major Nadir, who was handling the case of sectarian killings, to appear before the court on Thursday.

Defence and interior sectaries are also required to appear in the missing persons’ case.