ISLAMABAD: A three-member bench at Pakistan’s Supreme Court headed by Justice Javed Iqbal has directed Attorney General Anwar Mansur Khan to furnish a comprehensive report on missing persons within two weeks.
The Supreme Court resumed its proceedings on this high-profile case on Tuesday. In his opening remarks, Iqbal said the “state has failed to provide complete details of these missing persons though the case has lengthened its proceedings beyond the needed period. The state has completely botched up in rendering obligations levied upon it.”
The court directed Mansur to consult the interior and defense ministries’ secretaries as well as heads of intelligence agencies. The families of missing persons allege their relatives were taken in by intelligence agencies without any legal permission and have not been brought before the country’s courts.
Human rights groups in Pakistan have also been taking out regular rallies to keep the issue alive. However, very few of the missing persons have been found.
The majority of the missing persons were reported in Balochistan during the military operation conducted by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf. The government has repeatedly given assurances to the relatives of the missing, but nothing has materialized. Before the court adjourned, Mansur was asked in strong words to produce before the court a list of missing people. It was also decided to hold hearings on a daily basis.
