Missing journalist Mudassar Naaru’s mother has turned down the government’s offer for financial compensation, saying that all they want is for Naaru to return home safely.
On Thursday, Naaru’s family met Prime Minister Imran Khan following an order by the Islamabad High Court (IHC) instructing Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari to arrange the meeting. During the meeting, the PM acknowledged that he was not aware of the case. In a statement issued later, the family said, “He was unable to provide any conclusive information to the family given the fact that he was unaware of Mudassar Naaru’s case prior to the meeting”.
But the premier assured that family that his office would get back to them with details about the missing journalist’s fate within 2-3 days.
Tweeting about the meeting, the Human Rights Minister wrote, “Family expressed their confidence in PM’s commitment”.
PM met with Mudassar Naaru's parents & son this afternoon. Parents
gave details of what they had been going thru. PM reassured them & immed issued orders for complete report on Naaru's whereabouts & on exactly what happened. Family expressed their confidence in PM's commitment. pic.twitter.com/jMGngJW7dF— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) December 9, 2021
Naaru went missing in 2018, while on vacation with his wife and son, from the northern areas of Pakistan. His family along with other human rights activists has since been protesting for his safe return. In May this year, his wife who had been leading the protests passed away.
Earlier, while hearing the case of Mudassar Naaru, Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Athar Minallah expressed anger over the practice of enforced disappearances in the country, saying legal action could be initiated against government officials under Article 6 if the issue was not resolved.
