Missing Baloch students case: IHC wants to know modus operandi of agencies
Pakistan
The IHC heard a case related to disappearance of Baloch students
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani of the Islamabad High Court on Tuesday remarked that it would be better if the working of agencies is explained.
Justice Kayani expressed his “desire” to know how agencies operate while hearing the case related to the recovery of the missing Baloch students and the implementation of the recommendations of a commission constituted to investigate the matter.
The justice asked the attorney general how many cases of terrorism were registered against Baloch students during the last 10 years, how many people were arrested, disappeared or harassed. He replied that the intelligence agencies cannot harass anyone.
Justice Kayani observed that no court, judge, lawyer, journalist, or member of parliament stops agencies from working according to the law. They speak when they see any illegal activities. It would be appropriate if the working of the agencies is explained.
No Pakistani, whether he is a journalist or a parliamentarian, supports terrorists, he added.
The attorney general responded that the matter would be resolved politically. Justice Kayani observed that it meant that he also acknowledge it to be a political issue. A solution could be find through dialogue, he added.
The attorney general submitted that a lot of work has been done on the missing persons cases and sought more time to resolve the issue politically.
The counsel for Baloch students, Iman Mazari, stated that the relatives of the missing persons are being threatened. A missing persons committee was formed but no member of the committee went to meet the relatives, a commission was formed but there is no progress. No information is provided to relatives of missing persons, she added.
Justice Kayani remarked that due to the efforts of the attorney general, many missing persons have reached their homes. As long as the cases of missing persons continue to surface, these courts will continue to work. It is not a single case that will be over after adjudication.
The attorney general said that the media should cooperate in this matter so that negative things are not highlighted.
The judge remarked that the media is independent and highlight the cases of missing persons. Missing persons have been recovered after the media brought their cases to limelight.
The people of Balochistan are Pakistanis. We must stand with them, he added.
The attorney general requested the court to reconstitute the committee who is working on the missing persons and include officials below the rank of director generals to enhance coordination.
Justice Kayani asked the attorney general to assist the court on another case related to missing persons.
The court adjourned the hearing till June 14, directing to submit the answers to the questionnaire in the next hearing.
