Foreign hand behind unrest in Balochistan, PCNS told

* Chiefs of ISI, FC brief committee on Balochistan situation

* FC IG denies custody of any missing person

By Ijaz Kakakhel

ISLAMABAD: The Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) was told on Tuesday that Balochistan’s law and order situation was worsening and there was strong evidence of foreign elements’ involvement in it, sources told Daily Times.

The PCNS meeting was held at Parliament House under Senator Mian Raza Rabbani. It particularly discussed the issue of missing persons in Balochistan. The committee was informed that 69 missing persons had been traced, adding that 23 of them were found dead. Some other missing people could not be traced, the PCNS was told.

Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General Lieutenant General Zaheerul Islam and officials from other intelligence agencies briefed the committee.

They apprised lawmakers about steps being taken by the authorities concerned for the recovery of missing persons.

The sources said that the ISI DG also informed the committee about the “deplorable” law and order situation in Balochistan.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, PCNS Chairman Raza Rabbani said proper legislation was on the cards on part of the government regarding missing persons across the country. He said the committee would prepare and forward its recommendation in the legislation process. He also said that foreign hands were involved in the Balochistan unrest.

Frontier Corps (FC) Inspector General Major General Nadir Zaib and the Balochistan home secretary also briefed the committee.

“Zaib told the committee that all missing persons had gone to Afghanistan and no one was in the FC’s custody,” a participant of the meeting told Daily Times.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Zaib said that suggestions on how to solve the missing persons issue had been submitted to the government and it was now their responsibility to work on them and solve the issue.

According to the sources, the committee was also informed that Laskhar-e-Tayyaba and Jundullah were involved in sectarian violence in Balochistan.

Meanwhile, the committee did not allow Interior Secretary Siddiq Akbar to attend the meeting after he arrived late for the briefing. The committee directed the staff not to open the door of committee room when Akbar arrived about 20 to 25 minutes late for the briefing.

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