Targeted killings, sectarian violence in Balochistan: Rs 456.417 million paid as compensation to victims' heirs, Supreme Court told

The Supreme Court was informed on Tuesday that Balochistan Government had paid a total of Rs 456.417 million as compensation to the legal heirs of the victims of targeted killing, sectarian violence and explosions as well as to the loss of properties from 2006 to 2011.
A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry was hearing a constitutional petition, filed by President Balochistan High Court Bar Association, against the targeted killings, kidnapping for ransom etc in the province.
The petitioner prayed the apex court that the respondents may be directed to protect the life and property of the people of Balochistan province and take all such steps, on account of which, targeted killing, kidnapping, abduction for ransom be controlled or such orders and directions as may deem appropriate be issued, in the interest of justice.
The court had ordered Balochistan government to submit a report on compensation to the victims of targeted killing in Balochistan. Additional Advocate General Balochistan Azam Khan submitted a detailed report to the bench regarding compensation during the course of hearing.
Azam Khan told the bench that legal heirs of 262 shaheeds, as many as 507 injured and a total of 628 property damage cases of civilians were compensated by the provincial government so far. "A total of Rs 215.55 million have been paid to the legal heirs of shuhada and injured police personnel from 2006 to March 2011. Likewise Rs 155.7 million had been paid to the legal heirs of 203 FC personnel shuhada, injured/ disabled persons from March 2006 to May 2011 by the Federal government," he added.
The court was informed that the provincial government was making all possible efforts for payment of compensation to targeted killings' victims. During the course of hearing the court was informed that about 180 dead bodies were found in Balochistan. The chief justice directed Additional Advocate General Balochistan to compensate the legal heirs and register cases and avoid open-handed FIRs in the matter and adjourned the hearing for three weeks.