ISLAMABAD, Dec 4 (Alliance News): The Federal Cabinet has constituted a sub-committee to address the longstanding issue of missing persons in Pakistan, Deputy Attorney General Javed Iqbal informed the Supreme Court on Wednesday.
Appearing before a six-member Constitutional Bench led by Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, Iqbal emphasized the government’s commitment to resolving the matter.
He stated that the sub-committee is tasked with reviewing the cases and formulating actionable recommendations.
The court, which deemed the issue critical, issued notices to the Federation, the Ministry of Interior, and other parties to present updated reports at the next hearing scheduled for next week.
Justice Jamal Mandokhail noted the alarming scale of reported cases, urging practical solutions over verbal commitments.
The bench raised questions about the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances (COIED), asking for data on recovered individuals and their testimonies regarding their abductions.
Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi queried the COIED about the identity of perpetrators, while Justice Jamal Mandokhail highlighted discrepancies in recovered persons’ statements, with some claiming they were “vacationing” in Northern Areas.
Justice Musarrat Hilali confronted Advocate Latif Khosa about his party’s missing members, questioning their silence about their abductors upon return. Khosa responded that fear of retaliation silenced many families.
The court also referenced previous cases, including one from Balochistan High Court, where returned missing persons avoided court appearances despite directives.
Justice Mandokhail remarked that resolving enforced disappearances requires collective efforts from all stakeholders.
The hearing was adjourned, with directions for updated reports from the Federation and the Ministry of Interior.
