Interim PM Kakar appears before IHC in missing Baloch students’ case
ISLAMABAD, Feb 28 (SABAH): Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar appeared before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday in connection with the case of missing Baloch students, following two previously skipped summons.
The single-judge bench, led by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, is overseeing the proceedings related to the implementation of recommendations from the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances and a petition seeking the recovery of the missing Baloch students.
The Islamabad High Court had twice summoned Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar to personally attend in response to a petition seeking the recovery of the missing Baloch students. Alongside the caretaker prime minister, the Interior Secretary and Caretaker Federal Interior Minister Gohar Ijaz also appeared before the high court.
Attorney General Mansoor Usman commenced his argument when the hearing officially began. The court interrupted to inquire if there were additional cases of individuals going missing since the submission of the earlier list. The attorney general informed the court that the original list comprised 12 individuals, with three still missing and nine located in CTD custody. He added that from another list of 26 individuals, at least two were found in Afghanistan.
During the hearing, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, addressing the caretaker PM, emphasized that this marked the 26th hearing specifically focused on the situation of the missing Baloch students. He underscored the importance of institutions adhering to the law and highlighted enforced disappearances as a grave concern. Justice Kayani emphasized the need for state institutions to uphold citizens’ rights while managing the country.
In response, the Caretaker PM defended the government’s actions within constitutional limits, pointing out the armed insurgency in Balochistan. He highlighted the complexities of the situation, mentioning the assassination of a former Chief Justice of Balochistan during Maghrib Namaz.
Expressing concern over the killings in Balochistan, he urged attention to non-state actors’ violence. The court acknowledged the ongoing conflict, stressing the importance of equal rights under the law.
Acknowledging the longstanding struggle, the Caretaker PM pledged to address legal and prosecution issues and advocated against profiling students based on language while highlighting systemic flaws. Justice Kayani commended the government’s efforts in recovering missing persons, while the Caretaker PM emphasized the need for accountability for those responsible.
In clarification, Lawyer Iman Mazari asserted that advocating for the families of missing persons should not be equated with supporting terrorism, emphasizing their allegiance to the state.
Government claims that out of a list of 68, only 8 are still missing. According to the figures of the Advocate Imaan Mazari, 9 are still missing.
The government finally admitted that Feroz Baloch, who was abducted few years ago, has not been released – earlier, they submitted a list in court falsely asserting that he had been released.
Caretaker PM Anwar ul Haq Kakar attempted repeatedly to link issue of Enforced Disappearances to insurgency in Balochistan. No excuse for such condemnable conduct – there isnt an insurgency in the whole country but people are still being disappeared from all corners. Advocate Imaan Mazari said, we are not in court to support any insurgency. We are there to have the Constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights protected.
What is alarming is that AG submitted a list which said 2 A levels students who had been abducted had “gone to Afghanistan to join TTP.” They were actually abducted while on their way to school in Quetta.
The judge said that we will ask the committee for further reporting on the issue, the committee consists of ( IB, ISI, MI ) members. PM Anwar ul Haq Kakar in the response said that there is no need to include the committee members but rather the executive will be responsible for resolving the issue.