IHC directs cabinet to evolve mechanism for recovery of missing persons

ISLAMABAD: Dismissing the Missing Persons Commission (MPC) report on disappearance of three students, the Islamabad High Court Thursday directed the federal cabinet to evolve a mechanism for recovery of the missing persons.

A three-member larger bench of the IHC, presided over by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, took up for hearing a petition seeking the recovery of missing persons from KP.

Justice Mohsin remarked that on the one side stood the state and on the other side stood the rights of the citizens.

“We have to see the situation in the country too. The policy of state changes with time. Sometimes, those who stood on that side now stand on this side. The reports of all agencies except one are available.”

Eman Mazari advocate said the list of 179 people had been furnished with them by the Baloch Yakjehti Committee adding that eight persons had gone missing after Gwadar protest.

Additional Attorney General (AAG) said since the matter pertained to Balochistan, it would be better if the information was obtained from there.

The judge remarked that the court had constituted a committee.

“Earlier, this list pertained to the disappearance of 67 persons and now it has reached 179. It is your responsibility not to let this number increase.”

The AAG said he did not know where the list had come from.

“A policy be evolved how the problem of enforced disappearance can be resolved. Mechanism be formed and be placed before the federal cabinet. I think, the defence ministry can work out a mechanism to address this issue. The defence ministry and intelligence agencies should evolve a policy and give it to the federal government,” he said.