Cases lodged against Sanaullah Zehri's guards on BHC orders

Syed Ali Shah Published July 19, 2013

QUETTA: Acting on the directives of the Balochistan High Court, police on Friday registered cases against five armed private guards of senior Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawab Sanaullah Zehri for entering the Balochistan Assembly premises forcefully with weapons a day earlier.

Armed guards of MPA Nawab Zehri had clashed with police while forcing their way inside the Balochistan Assembly premises on Thursday during by-polls of two Senate seats. Chief Minister Balochistan Abdul Malik Baloch had suspended a senior police official for 'misbehaving' with the senior minister, following the incident.

Chief Justice Balochistan High Court, Qazi Faez Isa took suo moto notice of police officer's suspension and called provincial high ups to appear before the court today.

"When police cannot stop armed private guards, how can they deal with terrorism", the top judge of the province remarked during Friday's hearing.

The Chief Justice asked the provincial Chief Secretary Babar Yaqoob Fateh Muhammad, "people have attached high expectations from the new government, but the morale of police had gone down because of the government's step".

Addressing the police Qazi Faez Isa said "Even if a chief justice comes with private guards, you can stop him", adding that "nobody was above the law and rule of law must be maintained at all cost."

Capital City Police Officer Quetta, Mir Zubair Mehmood, assured the court that action would be taken against the responsible private guards and that they would be produced before the court of law.

"Court's decision has encouraged police officers and boosted their morale", Mehmood said.

The FIR was lodged on Friday against five private guards of the influential tribal chieftain at Bijli road police station.

Moreover, during the hearing Qazi Faez Isa said if senators, ministers and other lawmakers use non-custom paid vehicles then that is a great crime.

He also ordered police to launch a crack down against non-custom paid and vehicles with tinted windows.

Pakistan

Syed Ali Shah is DawnNews' Quetta bureau chief.

He tweets @alishahjourno

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Moiz

Jul 19, 2013 05:06pm

Did the guards acted at their own ?

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sensible

Jul 19, 2013 05:19pm

What about the MPA Zehri who entered the court with armed guards? No case against him? Isn't he actually responsible for all this crime? What about the chief minister who suspended an officer who was merely doing his duty? what a shame that case has only been lodged against the guards...

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Syed

Jul 19, 2013 05:21pm

The Chief Minister should be removed for taking the unlawful side of the minister and for punishing the innocent police officer who was carrying out his duty as per law of the land. These minister are not superficial they are the servant of the people and should not forget that they are being paid from peoples taxes, they should be treated very strictly under the law of the land and in this case it is very obvious that minister was wrong and there is no reason for him to continue with his ministership.

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Usman

Jul 19, 2013 05:35pm

That's good.

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Razi

Jul 19, 2013 05:39pm

Arrogance, a character of PML-N. Beating bakery staff by Miss first daughter in law, slap on bus lady conductor, slapping and throwing mobile on vet lady doctor, 19 yr kid beating police constable, now this clash with police.... the list is long. Arrogance will cost PML-N the government like 1998..... now thru vote. I predict elections in Nov-2013 (its not a typo - not 2018)

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Iqbal Khan

Jul 19, 2013 05:41pm

I love our democracy.

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Burki

Jul 19, 2013 05:44pm

and to think that this is the same Chief MInister who shortly after becoming the CM, was talking about upholding the law, equal treatment, justice and a new beginning in Balochistan. Same meaningless fency words only for public consumption but when it comes to live upto their tall promises, they all prove to be same old cabal of thugs, opportunists and corrupt to the core professional politicians. And yes, instead of going after those bonded slave bodyguards, a case must be registered against the minister for bringing armed private guards on government property.

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Mohammad Anis Haji

Jul 19, 2013 05:47pm

I must salute the Chief Justice of Baluchistan for taking immediate action and passing out his order without any delay. This is the way how the justice should prevail. Such actions should cut down and bring everyone to the size. I wish a short order regarding reinstatement of Police officer on charges of MISBEHAVING by the CM would have been passed and stern warning to both CM and Mr. Zehri is also needed so that everyone is discourage in future. I Salute CJ Balochistan again.

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Naeem Javid

Jul 19, 2013 05:51pm

Excellent and much appretiated step taken by Balochistan Cout. Way to go Sir Qazi Faiz Essa - Thumbs up. Keep it up. and Exceptional word by Police Department. Keep it up!

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Sanaullah Zehri

Jul 19, 2013 06:13pm

I am sorry, whose orders were the guards following ??

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khurshid

Jul 19, 2013 06:24pm

Action should be taking the Chief Minister and the MPA whose was ultimate responsible his guard actions. They both be arrested and treated like ordinary criminals who breaks the law. The chief minister must also be impeached by siding with the criminals.

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Asad Mengal

Jul 19, 2013 06:35pm

Mr. Zehri is a bully and Dr. Malik is spineless, we really thought that he was a better choice for the CM slot but I guess he won't stand up to a bully, so lets kiss all the hopes we had for Balochistan.

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Ravian

Jul 19, 2013 07:00pm

The only persons against whom the cases should be registered and action taken are Zehri and the chief minister. Guards did not enter the premises on their own and the chief minister action against the police officer is totally uncalled for and unlawful. That simply means that tomorrow if if some terrorists come the police should solute them and let them enter the assemblies without let and hindrance. These politicians are fast becoming, if not already, a mafia and it probably is already too late to put a stop to their arrogance and high handedness.

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Jul 19, 2013 07:05pm

MPA Zehri should be the one facing charges, not the 'hired' body guards.

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Asif A. Shah

Jul 19, 2013 07:08pm

When Pakistani politicians will stop behaving like warlords and respect the rule of law? Whenever they will do the country will begin to rise up from the abyss that it is in now.

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safdar

Jul 19, 2013 07:12pm

Once i opined that dr malik was a reasonable person, now i am ashamed of it.

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Javaid Ahmed

Jul 19, 2013 07:15pm

Just about the right tonic for the new Government of Dr. Maalik. He needs to understand that catering to whims of coalition partners will not help him do the job properly if Baluchistan is make progress. let Government department do their jobs they ought to do. He needs to monitor their work and appreciate an action such as this rather than punish them for a job done well. All praise for BHC Chief Justice.

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Guest63

Jul 19, 2013 07:32pm

In my humble opinion , the action taken by the CJ is to be commended BUT instead of going after The Symbol ( the private guards who have no authority on their own except the one they accompany to safe guard ! ) , the Actual Malice ( the senior minister who brought them , and the Chief minister who suspended the police chief ) Must be addressed and shown the might of the rule of law otherwise the action taken by the CJ will be void of any real material

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Mac

Jul 19, 2013 07:31pm

These landlords in Pakistan think they are the owners of Pakistan and disrespect the state . No mercey for them and these guards along with there masters should be given exemplary punishment if Nawaz Sharif wants to show that his Government it not corrupt or above the law -

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Ishrat salim

Jul 19, 2013 08:17pm

This is great....and then the govt in. Baluchistan expects e rule.of law to be maintained....l

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muzammil ullah khan

Jul 19, 2013 08:38pm

a very good step.

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Tojo

Jul 19, 2013 09:19pm

Finally somebody is looking at this latest episode.

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shakir

Jul 19, 2013 09:29pm

Hope things will change but don't think that it will matter. Only topi drama bcoz they want to take a dramatic action, it came to news so they have to take otherwise useless.

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Akhter Husain

Jul 19, 2013 09:50pm

If leaders, the role models, can violate law,as their birth right, what else can be expected of followers.The BHC took the right action at right times

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Malik

Jul 19, 2013 09:59pm

British Raj gifted these waderas lands (territories) to terrorize/subdue locals so they could carry on their ruling/reign. These waderas were anti-people then as they are now and always will be...good for nothing. Get rid of them and then only will we be free.

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m. I. asghar

Jul 19, 2013 10:03pm

My contention has always been that if small fractions of any law are allowed to go unpunished it will lead to total disregard for all law! Not only the private guards but also their boss must be punished. The high court should not be in the business of policing. That is the job law enforcement agencies. The police should have resorted to force to get these guards out. It should zero tolerance for breaking the law

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kHALIIL

Jul 19, 2013 10:03pm

Well done BHC!!!

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Balochi Cynic

Jul 19, 2013 10:47pm

Not surprising, the incumbent CM-like other opportunist politicians- has engaged in the populist rhetoric so frequently that public has momentarily been deluded, not for long though. NP is the Balochistani version of PPP. they thrive on patronage politics. I for one do not expect them to be different from the last government. the difference is NP people are a tad better in face saving and a bit subtle in their 'ambitions'. The people of Balochistan are doomed for ever it seems.

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Hasham Bukhari

Jul 19, 2013 10:53pm

I really appreciate the courageous step taken by CJ of apex court in Balochistan...

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Ajaya K Dutt

Jul 19, 2013 11:14pm

To the powerful - "Ibtedaye Ishk Hai, Rota Hai Kaya, Aage Aage Dekhiya, Hota Hai Kaya." - Supermacy of law is savior of the weekest.

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Adal Pasand

Jul 19, 2013 11:15pm

Instead of a case against the poor guards the court should have shown some guts and got an FIR lodged against the Minister. Then we could have said justice has been served. When will our justice system stop this eyewash of justice where only the poor are punished and the powerful and mighty go scot free and we are expected to laud the action. Not even a word has been said against the spineless CM! This is a disgrace to be ashamed of!!

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Ajaya K Dutt

Jul 19, 2013 11:15pm

@Razi: Please. Please. Please. Now through vote.

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Ajaya K Dutt

Jul 19, 2013 11:17pm

@sensible: A good point. -Reminds me when Indira Gandhi was penalized for using Office Vehicle for personal use. It was high water mark. Wish you all the best , Pakistan, from the bottom of my heart.

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noobguy

Jul 20, 2013 12:07am

This is not a logical statement ":When police cannot stop armed private guards, how can they deal with terrorism".......I am sometimes amazed about people making illogical comparison. There is a 'great' difference between 'armed guards' entering into the senate and 'terrorists' entering into the senate. Childish words from respectable High court Judge.

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Arshad Khan

Jul 20, 2013 12:11am

Now here is a man of principles speaking and standing up to the antiquated Sardars and their misdeeds. The Chief justice is right and the public must stand behind him.

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M. Siddique

Jul 20, 2013 12:49am

No backing down now. Take action and put Nawab Zehri behind bar. Send a strong message for supremacy of the law.

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Khalid

Jul 20, 2013 02:08am

That's how it should be. I think comments and likes of this story have decleard some members of Baluchistan parliament incompetent for the job they are elected for.

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Baluch

Jul 20, 2013 03:07am

Why guards? Why not against Zehri himself?

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Muhammad Taqi

Jul 20, 2013 03:17am

Mr. Malik, its such a shame that you too have gone the same route. I stand by the honest police officers who have been doing their job. Hats off to CJ of BHC for registering cases against the culprits. We demand immediate restoration of the suspended SP.

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sami

Jul 20, 2013 03:36am

@Mohammad Anis Haji: Nothing will happen in teh end. You will see a deal under the table. So stop being so optimistic . This country is going down. If a people like nawaz sharif can be elected then there is no hope. The whole system needs to be culled.

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kirther

Jul 20, 2013 08:30am

Excellent these people must be put behind the bars and Nawab Sanaullah Zehri must also be punished because without his approval this was not possible. As far as PLM-N leadership is concerned this is just the beginning a lot worse is expected from them.

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IBN-E-ASHFAQUE

Jul 21, 2013 12:10pm

@safdar: Dr. Malik has limitations in a so called democratic setup where people like Zehri enter into the assembly.

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sabeeh omer

Jul 22, 2013 10:52am

In a country tarnished by politicians who consider themselves above the law and feel it their right to violate rules (or else how would one know they are a class above) the Superior Courts of Pakistan are setting an excellent precedence of the rule of law and seem to be the only door a poor, helpless, deprived citizen of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan can knock with the hope of getting justice.

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