Chief justice of Islamabad High Court has said that the court will not allow suppressing the voice of Baloch students stressing that it is very important to listen to their grievances, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah was hearing a petition seeking withdrawal of an FIR against Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari’d daughter Iman Mazari and other Baloch students on Monday.

The CJ asked the human rights secretary whether he was sure that such an FIR should be registered against the protesting Baloch students who had set up a camp for the fulfilment of their demands.

On this, the advocate general said that the administration wanted to avert any law and order situation as the Australian cricket team was staying in the country.

The chief justice while expressing his exasperation asked the advocate general what wrong they had done. Have they exploded some bomb, the judge asked?

“It’s very important to lend ear to the Baloch students. This court will never allow stifling their voice,” the CJ added.

Justice Minallah said that instead of registering a case against them, the federal government should create a forum for the Baloch students. We should come forward to help the Balochistan people, he added.

The AG said that it was a sensitive affair and he would have a consultation on it.

The CJ remarked that Islamabad police lacked training saying they needed training. He said that either the prime minister or his ministers should go to the protesting students to listen to their grievances. He lamented that the Baloch students had to protest like this in the tenure of this government. He remarked that the federal government should give extra attention to the Baloch students’ issue.

The human rights secretary told the court his ministry demanded a report from Islamabad chief commissioner, deputy commission and IG police. The report was supposed to be submitted by Friday but the ministry was still awaiting it.

However, Islamabad chief commissioner assured the court that he would fully look into the matter.

The CJ asked for how long this camp was set up?

Iman Mazari’s lawyer Shoaib Shaheen replied that the camp had been set up since March 1st. He said he met with the protesting students who told him that people wearing black clothes used to visit their camp and would harass them.

The CJ remarked that the federal government should listen to the Baloch students and adjourned the hearing till March 21.

Reporter Ehtisham Kiyani