Court sets aside plea as missing persons return

Orders action against cops over ‘poor performance’ during investigation

The Sindh High Court disposed of on Friday a plea seeking the recovery of missing persons, as three of them, Rafaqat, Farooq Majeed and Mohammad Siddique, returned home.

Setting aside the plea, a two-member bench, comprising Justice Nazar Akbar and Justice Abdul Mubeen Lakho, also ordered action against two police officers over their "poor performance" during the investigation and directed the police to continue investigating other similar cases.

Rafaqat, Majeed and Siddique, who also attended the hearing, had gone missing in 2015. The petitioners' lawyer told the court that one among them had left his house to go to a barber shop back then, but didn't return.

"Did police go to the barber shop for investigation?" inquired Justice Akbar.

In response, the investigation officer expressed ignorance, saying it had been a long time since the incident took place and some officers had died since then.

"Then action should be taken against those still alive," remarked Justice Akbar.

Plea challenges salary raise

At another hearing, the court issued notices to the Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) and others over a plea challenging the raise in MPA salaries.

The plea stated a bill was introduced to increase the salaries and enhance the benefits given to MPAs. The petitioner moved the court to nullify the salary raises and benefits of MPAs, in view of the current situation. The court issued notices to parties, seeking their replies over the plea by September 16. It also told the assembly secretary to present a record of MPAs' past and present salaries and allowances.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 22^nd, 2020.