SHC seeks progress report on Zardari’s missing aide

Zardari’s three close aides have gone missing a few days ago

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday directed the federal interior secretary, provincial home secretary and provincial chiefs of the Rangers and police to submit their reports regarding progress in the recovery of former president Asif Ali Zardari's missing aide, Ghulam Qadir Marri.

A two-judge bench, headed by Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui, asked them to submit the progress reports within two weeks.

Marri is one of Zardari’s three close aides who have reportedly gone missing within a few days. Ashfaq Leghari -- who worked for the Omni Group and Nawab Leghari, former adviser to the Sindh government -- had gone missing a few days ago.



The matter regarding disappearance of Ghulam Qadir Marri was taken up in the court by his brother, Ismail Marri. He filed a petition, seeking a directive for law-enforcement agencies to trace whereabouts of Marri, his friend, Khan Muhammad Mangi and two servants – Mehboob Ali Khashkheli and Javed Rehman.

The petitioner's lawyer, Shahab Sarki, said Marri, a staunch supporter of the PPP, was kidnapped on April 7 near Jamshoro when he was returning home from Naudero after attending the death anniversary of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.

Marri, who is also a businessman and owned a vast agricultural land, was traveling in his white Land Cruiser along with his friend, driver and another servant, he added.

The lawyer said the missing petitioner’s brother was in contact with his family members till late Friday evening. Later, they learned through a news channel that his brother had gone missing as his vehicle was found abandoned near the Jamshoro power house, he added.

Sarki said Marri was suffering from multiple ailments, including cancer, diabetes, and high-blood pressure and used to have periodic medical check-ups. His confinement would have extremely detrimental effect on his health as he was also undergoing cyberknife therapy.



The petitioner alleged that his brother was being victimised by the Establishment due to his political affiliation, adding Ghulam Qadir was a law-abiding citizen and would be willing to cooperate with law enforcement agencies with regard to any investigation according to law.

The petitioner contended that if his brother was required in any case, he should be produced before court of law. He added the abduction violates fundamental rights of the alleged detainee guaranteed under the Constitution.

He pleaded the court to direct the respondent authorities to produce him in the court and restrain them from taking any adverse action against him.

On the last hearing, the court had issued notices to the interior secretary, provincial home secretary, IG police and DG Rangers Sindh to file their comments.

During Friday's proceedings, the Rangers law officer sought time to file comments, while none of the federal or provincial home secretaries filed any report.

The bench observed that the authorities concerned should deal with the matter of missing citizens on priority.



Advocate Sarki said the health condition of the missing person was already deteriorating, which was evident from the documents submitted in the court regarding his medical treatment.

The bench ordered the federal and provincial authorities concerned to submit progress report regarding efforts for the recovery of the missing person within two weeks.