IHC angry with govt on ‘forced disappearance’

ISLAMABAD –The Islamabad High Court (IHC) raised concern on Monday about the government’s handling of the missing persons case, stating that “people go missing and the state knows nothing about them.”

Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir made these statements while hearing the appeal of Farhana Barlas, the wife of PTI’s International Media Coordinator Ahmed Janjua, regarding his abduction.

Advocate Iman Mazari appeared in court for Farhana Barlas, while Advocate General Islamabad represented the state.

The court heard that masked individuals in uniform forcibly dragged Ahmed Janjua away at 4 a.m. on July 20. Advocate Mazari informed the court that some officials were in uniform in response to a question about whether those police officers were in uniform.

The court stated that if necessary, it will call Pakistan’s attorney general.

Justice Tahir noted that the police also had the CCTV footage.

The police authorities informed the court that a FIR had been filed.

Justice Tahir stated that whereas forced disappearances had previously occurred in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, they have now begun in Islamabad. “The state knows nothing. What is the government doing? How much time is required to recover Ahmed Janjua?”

The court summoned the Attorney General at 12 p.m. to inform us what we should do, and directed the additional attorney general to bring the full details of the case.

Justice Tahir warned the extra attorney general not to tell the court that the report would be presented. “How much time you need to bring him [attorney general] in the court?”

Justice Tahir questioned the advocate general on whether the IG police was performing his duties. Why not send him a show cause notice?

Later, the judge deferred the hearing until 12 p.m.