ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa Tuesday said they wanted to settle the case of missing persons once for all.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan commenced hearings on the longstanding issue of enforced disappearances and missing persons. The proceedings, led by a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa, were live-streamed on the Supreme Court’s website.
The case has garnered attention as it addresses the concerns raised by several petitioners, including senior lawyer Aitzaz Ahsan.
Khushdal Khan Malik, a petitioner on missing persons, urged the court to direct the government to enact legislation, specifically addressing enforced disappearances. Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar noted the existence of the Commission on Enforced Disappearances.
Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa questioned the effectiveness of the missing persons commission, pointing out that despite its formation, legislation on the issue is lacking. The petitioner highlighted that the commission, formed in 2011 during the PPP government, has not fulfilled its mandate.
Shoaib Shaheen, representing Aitzaz Ahsan from PPP, raised concerns about the missing persons commission’s inability to carry out its work effectively. The court inquired about Aitzaz Ahsan’s stance on suspending the government’s notification, citing a report stating that 2,200 people were still missing.
The proceedings took a political turn when Shoaib Shaheen mentioned the disappearances of Sheikh Rasheed, Sadaqat Abbasi, and others. Chief Justice Qazi Faiz Isa cautioned against politicizing the issue and emphasized that the court would not allow itself to be used for political purposes.
Chief Justice stressed the need for a comprehensive list of missing persons with dates to evaluate the government’s response.
The court highlighted the ongoing Baloch students’ protest, urging the inclusion of their case in the application. The Deputy Attorney General informed the court about an existing order from the Islamabad High Court regarding the Baloch protestors.
The court adjourned the hearing until Wednesday at 11:30 am, recognizing the significance and complexity of the case.
