The home secretary Balochistan and deputy inspector general of police Zhob briefed the committee on the death of Ibrahim Arman Loni, a political worker, during a political demonstration and action taken against the responsible. The committee was informed that section 144 was imposed in Loralai following five incidents of terrorism in one month. The cause of death of Arman Loni was heart attack and epilepsy which was also proved in laboratory test.
Sister of Loni informed the committee that her brother was tortured. Later, she blamed that he died on his way to hospital. Former Senator Faratullah Babar said that according to his information, some critical marks were noted on Loni's brain in the postpartum report which was again sent to Punjab for further analyses.
Muhammad Ali Khan Saif said that blood slots gathered due to head injury of Loni which led to his death. Minister for Human Rights, Dr Shireen Mazari said that Loni died in suspicious circumstances and it is strange that no FIR was registered. She condemned the alleged firing of crowd going to attend the funeral of PTM leader.
The DIG police said that police in Balochistan are not against PTM but are fighting against the extremists and terrorists. In his ruling, the chairman committee directed to register an FIR and an inquiry should be launched. The committee also directed to take action against the responsible police officials in the light of inquiry.
The committee also took serious notice of non-payment of salaries and pensions to PTV employees. The members of the committee were informed that the acting Managing Director PTV Arshad Khan had made some amendments in charter of demand of PTV board. The committee was informed that the government has violated the directives of Supreme Court of Pakistan. Four months back, the apex court directed the government to appoint MD within 15 days.
The committee was informed that the acting MD allegedly approved his salary of Rs 2.2 million from PTV board. On other side, it was said the management of PTV has stopped release of medical bills of lower scale employees. The managing director PTV said that he was offered the slot by the minister and voted by the board members as he had served PTV twice in the past.
Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry said that he would serve notices on the members of the Board and MD PTV for approving hefty salaries. He said that expenditure of PTV is more than its revenue. The minister said the PTV management deliberately lost the chance to earn revenue through winning the rights to air PSL matches. He further said that principal secretary of the prime minister had also written a letter that the board should appoint managing director.
The chairman committee questioned the authority of principal secretary of prime minister over his letter sent to the board. He said it is unfortunate that the PTV management froze the budget for salaries and pensions of lower staff but appointed the favourites at hefty salaries. The secretary information said that the board of PTV is independent and can take any kind of decisions under the law.
Senator Faratullah Babar suggested that the rules and regulations of PTV board need to be reviewed to make the board independent. The committee directed the Ministry of Information to appoint MD PTV and resolve the PTV employees' problems within 14 days.
Deputy inspector general of police Sindh briefed the committee on the custodial death of Babu Karim Jan, President of Gadani ship-breaking workers union, and action taken against the responsible. The police official informed the committee that Jan suffered from cardiac arrest during police arrest. The police had registered FIR on the next day of the incident. The police would submit challan in a few days. Police officials and two private persons are under investigation, he added.
The minister for human rights informed the committee that a bill for stoppage of custodial death would bring to the Parliament very soon. The inspector general of police Punjab also briefed the committee on the raid, arrest and subsequent release of Dr Ammar Ali Jan.