Latest news with #Anti-TerrorismAct
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
Couple's killing in Balochistan: 11 suspects arrested; case transferred to SCIW
QUETTA: At least 11 suspects, including a tribal leader, have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the killing of a man and a woman in Balochistan after a video of the murder went viral on social media, with the case now handed over to the Serious Crimes Investigation Wing (SCIW), police said. Superintendent of Police (SP) SCIW Syed Saboor Agha told a media organization that 'Eleven people have been arrested, including a tribal leader who issued directives to shoot the couple, and all of them will appear before a judicial magistrate Monday.' The viral video showed a group of men leading a couple out of vehicles and into a desert before gunning them down with pistols and shooting the bodies. Political figures and activists said it was an 'honour' killing incident. On Sunday, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti announced on X that he had directed the Balochistan Police to take immediate action, following which one suspect was apprehended. According to a first information report (FIR) registered by the Station House Officer (SHO) Naveed Akhtar at Quetta's Hanna-Urak Police Station, he lodged the complaint after receiving the video clip that had gone viral on social media, showing a man and a woman being brutally shot and killed by armed individuals. SHO Akhtar stated that he, along with his team, reached Balochistan's Dagari, situated on the outskirts of Quetta and, upon investigation, discovered that the incident occurred three days before Eidul Azha in the area of Sanjidi in Dagari. 'The victims seen in the viral video have been identified as Bano Bibi and Ihsanullah,' the FIR said, naming eight suspects who allegedly shot the couple dead. The FIR also mentioned 15 other unknown suspects involved in the incident. SHO Naveed Akhtar said, 'Owing to the nature of the murder, the case has now been transferred to the Serious Crime Investigation Wing for further investigation.' Prior to being killed, the victims were allegedly taken to a tribal leader, who declared them guilty of being involved in an 'immoral relationship' (locally termed 'Karo Kari') and ordered their execution, following which they were taken to the [desert] and shot dead, the FIR said. 'The murder was filmed and uploaded to social media to spread fear and panic among the public,' it added. According to the FIR, a case was registered against the suspects under Sections 302 (murder), 149 (unlawful assembly), 148 (rioting while armed with a deadly weapon), 147 (rioting) of the Pakistan Penal Code and the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. The incident was widely condemned by politicians, civil society activists, and the public, who termed it 'barbaric' and urged the government to take swift action against the perpetrators.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
BHC CJ takes notice of 'honour' killing of couple
Listen to article The Chief Justice of the Balochistan High Court, Justice Rozi Khan Barrech, has taken suo motu notice of the brutal killing of a man and a woman, allegedly murdered in the name of honour, after a video of the incident went viral on social media. Chief Justice Barrech has summoned the additional chief secretary (Home) and the inspector general of police to appear before the court and provide a briefing on the case on Tuesday. The couple, who were not identified, were shot dead on the orders of a local tribal council last month in Balochistan, according to provincial authorities, who investigated after the video went viral. According to police, a case has been registered under Section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code and relevant sections of the Anti-Terrorism Act. The FIR stated that the male and female victims were declared 'karokari' (a term used for 'honour killings') in a tribal jirga led by tribal elder Sardar Sherbaz Khan Satakzai. Following the verdict, they were taken in vehicles to a remote area where they were shot dead. The complainant of the case said the gruesome act was filmed and circulated online, causing fear and panic among the public. Read More: 11 arrested after couple shot dead in Balochistan over 'honour' Eleven suspects have been arrested, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said in a statement on Monday, hours after he announced that the location and people in the video had been identified. In a press conference, Bugti said both victims were already married with children. 'The woman had five children and her husband's name is Noor,' he said. 'The man was also married and had six children. There was no marital relationship between them.' The chief minister condemned the killings as 'utterly inhumane' and said neither the state nor society would tolerate such acts. 'All those involved will be arrested and brought to justice,' he added. آپ ڈیٹ: اب تک 11 ملزمان گرفتار کئے جا چکے ہیں، آپریشن جاری ہے۔ تمام ملوث افراد کو کیفرِکردار تک پہنچایا جائے گا۔ ریاست مظلوم کے ساتھ کھڑی ہے! — Sarfraz Bugti (@PakSarfrazbugti) July 20, 2025 Bugti noted that the case had gone viral online, prompting widespread public interest and misinformation. 'Many are wrongly reporting that the two were a newly-wed couple. That is simply not true,' he said. One of the most troubling aspects of the case, Bugti said, was the reluctance of anyone to come forward and file a First Information Report (FIR). 'The parents and children of the victims are present, yet no one is registering a case,' he said. 'When police attempt to investigate, men vanish from the area and women pelt stones at officers,' he added. He also revealed that the viral video of the killings was not leaked externally. 'This video was not obtained from outside sources. The murderers themselves posted it,' he said. ڈیگاری قتل کیس ' سرفراز بگٹی کی پریس کانفرنس قتل ہونیوالی خاتون اور مرد کے کتنے بچے ہیں ؟ اصل قاتل کون کون ؟ ابتک کتنے لوگوں کو گرفتار کیا جاچکا ہے ؟ وزیر اعلیٰ کا سخت ایکشن ' کوئی بچ نہیں پائیگا کوئٹہ ' وزیر اعلیٰ بلوچستان میر سرفراز بگٹی کی پریس کانفرنس ' بلوچستان کے علاقے… — Daily Qudrat ( Latest News ) (@DailyQudrat) July 21, 2025 The government, he said, is carrying out a full investigation and intends to present the culprits in court soon. 'This is an era where unverified news spreads fast. I urge everyone to verify facts before sharing,' Bugti cautioned. He further acknowledged that parallel justice systems still influence Pakistani society. 'We are part of a culture where jirgas [tribal courts] still operate,' he said. 'But the government is taking constitutional action against such systems.'
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
An unnecessary overreach
EDITORIAL: In a move signaling urgency, President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday promulgated an ordinance granting the federal government the authority to elevate the Frontier Constabulary (FC) to the status of a federal force. The FC, which has long been deployed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's (KP's) former tribal areas and the troubled border regions of Balochistan – regions plagued by insurgencies, terrorism, and tribal conflicts – has already functioned as a federal paramilitary force under the control of the Ministry of Interior. However, its role was largely confined to localized operations within these specific regions. What is different now is that the government has expanded the FC's jurisdiction, establishing a new Federal Reserve Force under its command with responsibilities for anti-riot and special protection duties. This new structure will be granted powers as outlined in the Code of Criminal Procedure, the Anti-Terrorism Act, the Police Order, and any other applicable laws. Furthermore, the ordinance empowers the federal government to confer upon any FC member the powers of a police officer, of any class or grade, as per the laws in force at the time. Ostensibly, this move is a response to growing national security concerns. However, the decision to elevate the FC to a federal force and deploy it nationwide raises questions about the underlying rationale, particularly given its potential overlap with other paramilitary forces. The Rangers, for instance, already operate in various parts of the country, particularly urban centers like Karachi, where they have played a key role in counterterrorism and controlling civil unrest. The necessity of expanding the FC's role, therefore, is questionable. Its current deployment in the border regions of Baluchistan and the tribal districts of KP is justified by the unique security challenges these regions face, such as cross-border militancy, insurgency, and ethnic tensions. These challenges do not exist in other provinces – at least not at the same level of intensity. The police are quite capable of handling civil disturbances and riots. Additionally, there already are a range of law enforcement agencies, including the Rangers, and even the military in certain situations. The involvement of army officers in the leadership of the FC's new Federal Reserve Force raises further concerns. This suggests a more militarised approach to policing, which could undermine civilian authority and exacerbate tensions between law enforcement agencies and the public. In non-conflict areas, such a heavy-handed approach would not only be unnecessary but could also lead to potential abuses of power, eroding what little trust remains between citizens and the government. Ultimately, the decision to deploy the FC across the entire country risks creating more problems than it aims to resolve. The focus should instead be on improving the efficiency of existing law enforcement agencies, enhancing inter-agency cooperation, and ensuring that the right force is deployed in the right context. Overwhelming the country with multiple paramilitary forces will create challenges that may undermine the very security these forces are intended to protect. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
PTI leader's bail extended by ATC
An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Friday extended the interim bail of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Muhammad Ahmad Chattha till September 19 in four separate cases, including the Jinnah House attack and Shadman Police Station arson. ATC Administrative Judge Manzer Ali Gill presided over the proceedings. Chattha appeared before the court following the expiry of his earlier bail period. The judge summoned the complete case record from the prosecution and directed the defence to present arguments at the next hearing. Chattha has sought bail in several cases, including the attack on Jinnah House, arson at Shadman Police Station, and setting fire to police vehicles in Zaman Park. In a separate hearing, the ATC dismissed the post-arrest bail petition of PTI leader Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed in a case related to vandalism and provocative speeches during the May 9 protests near Sherpao Bridge. ATC Judge Arshad Javed dismissed the plea after the petitioner's counsel requested to withdraw the application. The case was registered at Sarwar Road Police Station and pertains to allegations of delivering inflammatory speeches and participating in acts of vandalism during the protests. Money laundering case The ATC confirmed the interim bail of a female bank officer, Sanam Shaukat, in a case involving money laundering, terror financing, and the opening of illegal bank accounts. Presiding over the hearing, Judge Manzer Ali Gill directed the accused to submit surety bonds worth Rs. 100,000. According to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), Sanam Shaukat and several other bank officials allegedly facilitated illegal financial transactions for individuals associated with banned outfits, including those listed in the Fourth Schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Global News
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Public safety minister's statement on letters supporting man deemed terror group member
Statement from the office of Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree on July 14 in response to questions about two letters the MP wrote to the Canada Border Services Agency in 2016 and 2023 in support of Senthuran Selvakumaran, a Sri Lankan citizen who had applied to immigrate to Canada but was denied on the grounds he had been a member of the Tamil Tigers. It would be inappropriate to comment on any specific matters that remain before the courts. That said, there are important matters to clarify. As Minister, I have never sent a letter seeking Ministerial relief in an immigration matter. When I was appointed Minister in July 2023, I instructed my constituency staff to no longer provide such letters. The letters in question here date from before I entered Cabinet. Some important context on that. My office in Scarborough-Guildwood-Rouge Park handles hundreds of immigration matters annually, over 9,000 since I was elected in 2015. That is the nature of representing a diverse riding in the country's largest city. That a constituent, a Canadian citizen, with a Canadian child, would want to reunite her family in Canada is not unusual. And we have created processes by which people can challenge administrative decisions. MPs from all parties provide letters of support for constituents as a routine matter. As a Tamil Canadian, active for decades in my community, I have faced innuendo and whisper campaigns that question my allegiances to Canada. Those are scurrilous and wrong. I am a proud Canadian and proud of my Tamil heritage. I denounce terrorism in all its forms. I decided one way to deal with these allegations was to recuse myself from any decisions related to the listing process under the Anti-Terrorism Act for the Tamil Tigers (LTTE), or the World Tamil Organization. In the discharge of my duties as Minister, I cannot, and will not, make decisions on any matter wherein I advocated for a constituent. This includes Ministerial relief and stays of removals. And I have already placed a screen to recuse myself from matters that involve the two listed entities mentioned above. The questions sent to me by Global News infer something that no other Minister has to face: their premise is that I somehow support a terrorist organization and would make decisions that would favour a terrorist organization. That is false.
