The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed its deep concern about the government's decision to give police powers to the Frontier Corps (FC) in Balochistan, and termed it as "retrogressive step" that is equivalent to "suicidal madness".

Blasting the move, the HRCP in a statement said: "The HRCP disagrees with the decision in the strongest possible terms. This is a 'retrogressive step' and reliance on the rule of danda in the present age is nothing short of 'suicidal madness'."

According to the Daily Times, the HRCP admitted that the Balochistan situation is certainly grim but claimed that the outcome is a result of a consistent failure of the government to address the grievances of the people in a democratic manner.

"The FC does not have a good reputation in Balochistan and even those who do not sympathise with the radical nationalists will not like to be thrown at the mercy of a discredited organisation which has been responsible for alienating a large number of people," the statement added.

It further expressed its disappointment about the state's inability to come up with any response other than a reversion to coercive force to settle quintessentially political matters. (ANI)