Former Balochistan High Court Chief Justice Noor Mohammad Meskanzai was fatally shot outside a mosque in the Kharan district of Balochistan.
The target killing incident took place outside a mosque on Friday, when unidentified individuals opened fire on him. The former Chief Justice was taken to a nearby hospital where he died due to his injuries.
Lamenting the death of a ‘brave and fearless judge’, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Abdul Qudoos Bizenjo expressed deep regret over the assassination. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also tweeted out a condemnation of the act, saying that the Balochistan government should use all resources to arrest the killers and bring them to justice.
I strongly condemn the assassination of Justice M. Noor Meskanzai, former Chief Justice of Balochistan High Court & Federal Shariat Court in Kharan. Balochistan govt should use all resources to arrest killers & bring them to justice. I send my condolences to the bereaved family.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) October 15, 2022
Quetta Bar Association President Ajmal Khan Kakar also condemned the incident and announced a three-day boycott of the courts. “We strongly condemn this incident and demand that the killers must immediately be arrest and brought to book,” he said, adding that Meskanzai had worked with dignity and fairness throughout his career.
Meskanzai had served as the 18th chief justice of Balochistan High Court from 26 December 2014 to 31 August 2018. He later became the chief justice of the Federal Shariat Court, during which time he had penned the judgement that declared the Riba-based banking system against the Sharia. He retired from the Shariat Court in May. Meskanzai leaves behind his wife, five sons and three daughters.
