Missing persons cases: Supreme Court tells all IGPs to furnish details

The Supreme Court on Thursday directed inspectors general of police (IGPs) of four provinces to furnish complete details of registered cases regarding missing persons in their respective provinces besides registering cases, in which evidences are available or be ready to face strict action.
A four-member bench, headed by Justice Javed Iqbal comprising Justice Raja Fayyaz Ahmed, Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali and Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, was hearing cases of missing persons. A relative of missing persons complained though they have evidence about their loved one despite that police have refused to register cases. Justice Javed directed IGPs to register those cases in which evidences are available, and warned if it was not done, the concerned IGP will be held responsible and strict action will be taken against him.
Amna Masood Janjua, chairperson Defence of Human Right (DHR) said they had been struggling for the last five years to recover their near and dear ones but had not succeeded yet. "We could not afford litigation against intelligence agencies but simply want that they (agencies) return our dear ones to us," she added. Justice Javed said the court understands their feelings but there was difference between emotions and legal aspects.
Amna requested the court to take action against the concerned officials who are reluctant to release their relatives despite having proof against them. Justice Javed Iqbal said the court wanted to take action but if the missing persons were not recovered then what was the use of taking action. He said the court wants that all the missing persons should be recovered and he said that on Thursday next, the bench will only hear those cases about which some evidences are available.
Amna said also complained to the court that the judicial commission on missing persons sought their help but did not bother to inquire from spymasters regarding missing persons. Additional attorney general K K Agha informed the court that police had recovered one missing person from Waziristan a day ago. He also told the court that the government was planning to set up a tribunal for the recovery of missing persons. Justice Javed said they did not have any objection regarding that but the court would do it own work.
Hashmat Habib senior advocate Supreme Court said that tribunal would be another tactic to delay the matter. He said the judicial commission on missing persons had spent over four month but the result was zero as it hardly accomplished one per cent job regarding missing persons. The court adjourned the hearing till February 10.