BBA asks lawyers not to attend courts – Sexual assault on woman doctor

QUETTA, January 2005,11: Political and social activists and tribal elders have condemned the sexual assault on a woman doctor in Sui and the Balochistan Bar Association has asked lawyers not to attend courts on Wednesday in a mark of protest against the government’s attitude for not arresting rapists.

In separate statements they alleged that the government knew that who were involved in the humiliation of the woman doctor but despite the information was hesitant to arrest them.

Opposition Leader in the Balochistan Assembly Kachkol Baloch said the incident was against the province’s cultural and traditional norms and had tarnished social values. He said that involvement of personnel of a law-enforcement agency in the act was ‘shameful’.

MNA Abdur Rauf Mengal, MPA Akhtar Hussain Lango, and vice-president of the Balochistan National Party Sajid Tareen condemned the incident and demanded an open-court trial after the arrest of the rapists.

The political leaders condemned the government for remaining silent for many days over the incident and only ordered a judicial inquiry after concern was voiced by many.

Balochistan Bar Association president Mohammad Wasay Tareen, while condemning the incident, asked the lawyers not to attend court proceedings on Wednesday as a mark of protest.

Khuzdar Bar president Usman, Kalat Bar president Nasir bungulzai and Kech Bar president Hamid Baloch also condemned the sexual assault on the woman doctor. Wadera Qamaruddin Kalpar, chief of Kalpar Bugti tribe, alleged that defence security guards and personnel were involved in the criminal assault, but the government was not willing to arrest the officials.

The Citizen Action Committee, Khuzdar, on Tuesday took out a protest rally to condemn the humiliating act and demanded the government to arrest the criminals at the earliest.
Source: Dawn
Date:1/12/2005