ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the arrest of ministers involved in kidnappings for ransom in Balochistan, DawnNews reported.

The three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry was hearing the case pertaining to the deteriorating law and order situation in Balochistan.

The court ordered the arrest of persons involved in the killing of 349 people.

The Chief Justice asked the police and Levies Forces to register cases against those involved.

The Supreme Court also asked Balochistan's Chief Secretary Ahmed Bux Lehri to pay compensation money to the families of the victims.

On March 23, the Supreme Court underlined the need for gearing up the local government system in Balochistan to improve the law and order situation.

The court had also asked the Balochistan government to file a comprehensive report explaining what it had done in the last three years to protect the lives and property of the people and to restore peace in the province.