Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Athar Minallah lambasted the government for having \u201cno control over subsidiary institutions\u201d as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appeared before the IHC on Friday in missing persons case.
\nEarlier in July, the court had given the incumbent government till early September to recover six missing persons, including journalist Mudassar Naro, and present them before the court, warning that in case of non-recovery, the premier will have to appear in person at the next hearing.
\nDuring the hearing of the case earlier today, CJ Minallah stated that \u201cit [missing persons] is a serious issue\u201d as he explained why the PM had been called to the court.
\n\u201cThe matter has been pending in court for several months now,\u201d he added as he expressed dissatisfaction over the government\u2019s inaction on the issue.
\nThe court said that as the chief executive the responsibility to address enforced disappearances lies with him.
\nAcknowledging the committee formed by PM Shehbaz and his efforts, the court went on to express deep concern saying \u201cthis is not an issue for a committee\u201d.
\nThe IHC also said that the pain of the affected families had not been taken into account as it observed that no action had been taken even in the case of the recovered individuals.
\n\u201cNo issue is larger than this one before the court,\u201d remarked the judge confessing that the Baloch students\u2019 issues were \u201cmost disturbing\u201d and that enforced disappearances were a matter of going against the constitution. The court also regretted the impression that state agencies were involved in the disappearances.
\n\u201cThis court will ensure civil supremacy,\u201d said CJ Minallah as he regretted that PM Shehbaz had to appear before the court. \u201cEither it should be admitted that the constitution is not held or these institutions are under the control of the executive.\u201d
\nTaking responsibility over the matter, PM Shehbaz said that he had been busy visiting flood-affected areas but added that he did not \u201cwant to hide behind any excuses\u201d.
\nThe prime minister said that he had met with the families of the missing persons as he reminisced on one child in particular that had appealed to him to recover his father.
\n\u201cIt is my responsibility that I find this child\u2019s father,\u201d he said, adding that \u201chis question pains me every day\u201d.
\n\u201cI am answerable to the people of Pakistan,\u201d he said as he informed the court that the concerned committee had met six times and also contacted the relevant authorities. He also assured the court that he would personally check on the committee\u2019s performance in two weeks\u2019 time.
\n\u201cIn one month a report will be submitted that will not be mere fiction but will be based on facts,\u201d he asserted.
\n\u201cI guarantee that the missing persons will be repatriated with their families,\u201d said PM Shehbaz, adding that he can’t promise that all missing persons will return but “will leave no stone unturned”.
\nHe also assured the court he would come before it whenever asked.
\nThe premier also said that he could empathise with the families as he had himself been to jail and his own family had suffered the same pain.
\nCJ Minallah said that as per the previous hearing all chief executives will be held responsible, while PM Shehbaz said the court\u2019s message had been heard loud and clear.
\nThe court said that the issue was that those holding the office deny any responsibility, \u201cif you can’t solve the issue why don\u2019t you leave office?\u201d.
\nThe attorney general on the occasion said that he along with the law and home ministers were committed to the cause and requested the court for some time to address the matter.
\nThe IHC accepted the request of the law minister and granted two months’ time for taking action, and gave the federal government the opportunity to take action on the missing persons cases.
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