National

CJ IHC Athar Minallah says state was involved in practice of enforced disappearances

ISLAMABAD, June 17 (SABAH): Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Athar Minallah on Friday said that the state was involved in the practice of enforced disappearances as the court heard petitions regarding the recovery of missing persons.

During the hearing on Friday, Chief Justice Athar Minallah asked the deputy attorney general why were people still “picked up”. “What steps has the federal government taken and who is responsible?” he asked.

In response, the deputy attorney general informed the court that the federal cabinet had constituted a committee on missing persons and would make recommendations on missing persons’ cases.

IHC CJ Athar Minallah further questioned the government representative as to whether the government had issued affidavits to former chief executives, including former president General Pervez Musharraf.

The deputy attorney general stated that the affidavits were under the purview of the attorney general, “he is abroad and if given some time, will present arguments on this.”

The chief justice expressed his disappointment with the conduct of the state and remarked that relevant parties were not giving the issue apt significance. “Today, the federal government has proved that it is not serious about such a big issue,” he added.

The IHC ordered the government to investigate the cases of missing people, adding that it would be preferred if the chief executive was present.

“You are proving that disappearing people has been the policy of the state since the days of General Musharraf, someone is responsible for the period in which people go missing,” CJ Minallah remarked.

The court also stated that as the practice continues and the government fails to comply with the IHC, they are largely ineffective.

The court then directed the interior ministry to ensure implementation of the May 25 order and said that no further adjournment would be given in the case and the parties should prepare arguments. The case was adjourned till July 3.