Balochistan govt impeding Bugti murder probe, BHC learns

Director Crime Branch told court that Chief Secretary had forbidden arresting or investigating former CM Balochistan Jam Muhammad Yousaf and former provincial home minister Shoaib Nosherwani in the case regarding murder of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti.The son of slain tribal chief, Nawabzada Jameel Akbar Bugti had moved the Balochistan High Court against the murder of his father through a writ petition. On Wednesday, the Divisional Bench comprising Chief Justice BHC Justice Qazi Faiz Isa and Justice Muhammad Hashim Kakkar resumed the hearing of the petition.Hadi Shakeel Ahmed and Sohail Ahmad Rajput Advocate appeared in the court on behalf of the applicant, whereas Additional Advocate General Nasarullah Achakzai represented the provincial government.Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa showed his resentment over slow progress in the case. He said that it was told to the court that the provincial government has written a letter to the federal government, but after that no further development was made in the investigation. If there is any impediment in the case, the court might be informed.Director Crime Branch Naeem Kakkar told the court that although former Chief Minister Balochistan Jam Muhammad Yousaf and ex-provincial home minister Shoaib Nosherwani were nominated in the Bugti’s murder case, Chief Secretary at that time restrained the investigating agency for holding interrogation against both of the leaders.Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa said that Chief Secretary had not any authority to make obstruction in the way of justice as the investigators were independent. “Court has given the provincial government chances again and again but no positive development was made in the case despite lapse of much time,” the CJ said in his remarks and adjourned the hearing for a day.