Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Athar Minallah has said that the state is involved in the practice of enforced disappearances.
Last month, during the hearing of petitions regarding the recovery of journalist Mudassar Naro and other missing persons, the court had sought a report from the Commission for Inquiry on Enforced Disappearance on its performance and SOPs to address the issue of missing persons.
The court had also directed the government to issue notices to former military ruler General (retired) Pervez Musharraf and all his successive chief executives of the country as to why proceedings should not be initiated against them for subversion of the Constitution in context of the state policy on enforced disappearance.
Hearing the case today, the CJ asked that who should be held responsible for enforced disappearances.
The deputy attorney general told the court that the federal cabinet has formed a committee of ministers on the issue of missing persons, adding that the investigative agencies are also working on the issue.
The CJ asked the DAG that what has been implemented and what action has been taken by the federal government.
The court remarked that people are still being picked up daily and there is no one to ask, adding that the court had ordered the federal government to issue notices to Musharraf and all subsequent prime ministers. Where are those notices and affidavits?
The CJ asked that would it be nice if this court issues summons to the chief executive, and said that all the governments are violating the Constitution. The issue of missing persons should have been a priority for the federal government and all political leadership, he added.
Later, the court adjourned the case till July 4.
Last month, during the hearing of petitions regarding the recovery of journalist Mudassar Naro and other missing persons, the court had sought a report from the Commission for Inquiry on Enforced Disappearance on its performance and SOPs to address the issue of missing persons.
The court had also directed the government to issue notices to former military ruler General (retired) Pervez Musharraf and all his successive chief executives of the country as to why proceedings should not be initiated against them for subversion of the Constitution in context of the state policy on enforced disappearance.
Hearing the case today, the CJ asked that who should be held responsible for enforced disappearances.
The deputy attorney general told the court that the federal cabinet has formed a committee of ministers on the issue of missing persons, adding that the investigative agencies are also working on the issue.
The CJ asked the DAG that what has been implemented and what action has been taken by the federal government.
The court remarked that people are still being picked up daily and there is no one to ask, adding that the court had ordered the federal government to issue notices to Musharraf and all subsequent prime ministers. Where are those notices and affidavits?
The CJ asked that would it be nice if this court issues summons to the chief executive, and said that all the governments are violating the Constitution. The issue of missing persons should have been a priority for the federal government and all political leadership, he added.
Later, the court adjourned the case till July 4.