State not responsible for every missing person: DG ISPR

Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor discusses issue of missing persons with chairperson Defence of Human Rights

DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor has said that the responsibility of all missing persons does not lie with the state as many such individuals are either involved with militants in conflict zones or have been killed fighting against the state.

“Our hearts go with the families of missing persons being Pakistanis. However, we must realise that not every person missing is attributable to the state,” the DG ISPR said in his meeting with Amina Janjua, chairperson Defence of Human Rights on Friday.

Met Amina Masood Janjua. Issue of missing persons discussed. State is with them to facilitate and address the issue. COAS has constituted a spec cell at GHQ for assisting the process. Our hearts go with the families of missing persons being Pakistanis. (1of2). pic.twitter.com/O5nI4hJ5Kc

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) July 5, 2019

Not every person missing is attributable to state. Many are there as part of TTP in Afg/ elsewhere or got killed fighting as part of TTP. Those with state are under legal process. She pledged that affected families shall not allow any anti state force to exploit them.(2of2). pic.twitter.com/DugYN1o1CC

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) July 5, 2019

Discussing the issue of missing persons, he said individuals under state custody were being treated according to the law whereas many had joined militant organisations such as the TTP in Afghanistan and other conflict zones, according to the ISPR.

“More so there are many who got killed fighting as part of TTP against the state of Pakistan,” he said. “Such individuals are also to be accounted somewhere while listing the missing persons.”

“The DG ISPR apprised her about the efforts that government and security forces are doing to facilitate them and address the issue for which judicial commission is working day and night,” the statement added.

Ghafoor, the communiqué said, also informed Janjua about the special directions and the constitution of special assistance cell at GHQ in this regard.

Janjua acknowledged the state and security forces' efforts and for their empathy and support.

She, according to the ISPR, reiterated the pledge that affected families shall not allow any anti-state force to exploit their emotions against the interest of Pakistan.

“She posed full confidence in the state for getting the issue a logical closure,” the statement concluded.