Dalbadin journalist's name taken off Fourth Schedule

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 29 September 2017

Ali Raza Rind, a journalist in Dalbadin, has been cleared from the Fourth Schedule after being monitored for almost two years. His inclusion was based on allegations of ties to a banned group.

Summary

QUETTA – Journalist Ali Raza Rind, on Fourth Schedule for nearly 20 months, has finally been cleared by the Balochistan government.

“My name was put on fourth schedule over allegations I was affiliated with the banned Baloch Liberation Army,” Rind told JournalismPakistan.com Friday.

Rind, who is based in Dalbadin, denied the allegations all along.

In June, the District Intelligence Coordination Committee, Chagai recommended his name be taken off.  The home secretary finally approved the recommendation last week.

The Fourth Schedule is a section of the Anti-Terrorism Act under which someone who is suspected of terrorism is kept under observation. It is mandatory for him to register his attendance with the local police regularly.

Rind had said his name was put on the Fourth Schedule because local politicians and bureaucracy wanted to exact revenge as he refused to accept dictations from them.

Photo: Facebook - Ali Raza Rind

KEY POINTS:

• Ali Raza Rind spent nearly 20 months on the Fourth Schedule.
• He was accused of having links with the banned Baloch Liberation Army.
• The Chagai District Intelligence Coordination Committee recommended his removal.
• Balochistan's home secretary approved the recommendation last week.
• Rind claims the accusations were politically motivated.