17 years completed to disappearance of Masood Ahmed Janjua

ISLAMABAD, July 30 (SABAH): Defence of Human Rights and Chairperson wife of Masood Ahmed Janjua, commemorated the 17th year of the disappearance of Masood Janjua on Saturday. He is a true patriot, educator, businessman, loving father, kind husband, and a great friend to many. 

According to a statement issued by Defense of Human Rights Pakistan (DHR), the movement of Enforced Disappearances started with the disappearance of Masood Janjua and his friend Faisal Faraz from Rawalpindi. Masood Ahmed Janjua, a businessman from Rawalpindi, “disappeared” on 30 July 2005, while traveling on a bus to Peshawar with his friend Engineer Faisal Faraz, from Lahore. His mysterious disappearance could not be accounted for initially but later on, specific evidence convinced Masood Janjua’s wife, Amina Masood Janjua that he had been picked up by the intelligence agency of the country. It was further established through the statement of one Dr. Imran Munir who remained in the custody of the military. Dr. Imran, in an official statement given to the government functionaries, testified that he had seen Masood Ahmed Janjua in a secret detention center.

“I can die but not give up the struggle to trace my loving husband Masood. When I look back and realize that 17 years have passed searching for Masood, my nerves shatter and the intensity of the dagger-like pain increases, however, I also become thankful that a struggle started in Masood’s name has brought thousands of disappeared loved ones home and united countless broken-hearted families. Every time I hear good news, it gives me hope, strength, and courage to keep going and is my greatest reward. I will never forget Masood or give up hope for his safe and sound return no matter what happens” says the wife of Masood Janjua, Chairperson Amina Masood Janjua on the 17th year of his disappearance.

In October 2006, Pakistan Supreme Court of Pakistan judges began hearing Masood Janjua and Faisal Faraz’s case. Several other persons subjected to enforced disappearances testified to seeing both men in detention. Their cases were pending before the Supreme Court of Pakistan however; state officials deny their detention and all knowledge of their whereabouts to date in the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearance CoIoED as well. The last update on the case of Masood Janjua came from his wife, Amina Janjua: “On 16th October 2018 while I was in Berlin attending a UDHR’s 70th-anniversary activities, Masood’s case was heard by a special bench in Supreme Court of Pakistan and within 5 minutes the honourable Judges transferred all the cases of Disappeared including Masood Janjua’s to the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearance CoIoED.”

At that time a categorical order should have been passed in tracing the famous businessman and educator from Rawalpindi. The judge vehemently comforted the petitioner that justice will be done, but did not pass any order. After four days of that hearing, the judge heading the bench, Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, was retired from the Supreme Court.

The struggle to find the truth, justice, and freedom for Masood Janjua continues as the family and human rights defenders remember him in the 17th year of his disappearance. The human rights community around the globe keep raising their voice in solidarity.

The Defence of Human Rights organisation, family, friends and the global human rights community demands immediate release and justice for Masood Janjua and his friend Faisal Faraz. Defence of Human Rights Pakistan demands the government to end these 17 years of torture and bring back Masood Janjua and all the enforced disappeared of Pakistan.