Qaseem Shah
QUETTA: The tragic Khuzdar murder case involving the family of kidnapped girl Asma Jatak triggered a heated debate in the Balochistan Assembly on Tuesday, with lawmakers from both the treasury and opposition benches strongly criticizing the provincial administration and law enforcement agencies over their handling of the case.
The outrage follows the killing of Master Ataullah Jatak, who was shot dead in Khuzdar. Ataullah was the father of Asma Jatak, who was allegedly abducted in 2024 by influential local tribesmen. Days before the incident, a video widely shared on social media showed Asma holding the Holy Quran while appealing to Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti for protection, claiming her family was facing continuous threats.
The murder has intensified public anger across Balochistan, with citizens, civil society members, and social media users demanding immediate justice for the bereaved family and stronger action against those responsible.
During the assembly session, lawmakers across party lines called for swift arrests and an impartial investigation. PPP legislators Ali Madad Jatak and Mir Muhammad Sadiq Umrani urged authorities to immediately apprehend those involved in the murder.
Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami MPA Maulana Hidayatur Rehman alleged that influential political figures were being protected due to their status, claiming that those responsible were widely known but remained beyond the reach of the law.
Responding to the allegations, Revenue Minister Asim Kurd Gello rejected claims linking former chief minister Nawab Sanaullah Khan Zehri to the case, stating that Zehri and his son were currently in Saudi Arabia and had no involvement in the incident.
Home Minister Ziaullah Lango assured the assembly that an FIR would be registered promptly and that law enforcement agencies would take all necessary steps to arrest the culprits. However, Speaker Captain (Rtd) Abdul Khaliq Achakzai expressed dissatisfaction with verbal assurances alone, insisting that authorities deliver tangible results.
“We do not need briefings from senior police officers—we need visible action and justice,” the Speaker said while directing the government to ensure immediate progress in the investigation.
The Khuzdar murder case, the alleged kidnapping of Asma Jatak, and the growing calls for justice in Balochistan continue to draw widespread attention, with pressure mounting on the provincial government and police to bring both the kidnappers and the killers to justice.
