SC terms report on missing persons ‘unsatisfactory’

Gives two-week time to police to submit comprehensive report

QUETTA:

The Supreme Court has expressed resentment over the report submitted by the police on recovery of missing persons in Balochistan, terming it “unsatisfactory” and sought a comprehensive one within two weeks.

A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed and comprising Justice Faisal Arab and Justice Ijazul Hassan, heard the constitutional petitions regarding missing persons and suo motu notice against target killing of the Hazara community members at the SC Quetta registry on Thursday.

During the proceedings, the bench categorically rejected the report submitted by SSP Investigation Crime Branch, Muhammad Akbar Raisani, remarking that the officers “will have to be removed from their positions” if they fail to submit a detailed and complete report.

The bench slammed the authorities over their failure in recovering the missing persons.

The relatives and family members of the missing persons were present at the SC Quetta registry. Home and Tribal Affairs Department Additional Chief Secretary Hafiz Abdul Basit, MPA Abdul Qadir Nayal and top hierarchy of Balochistan police were also present.

The SSP investigation presented the report regarding the missing persons’ cases, which was rejected by the bench with clear instructions to complete the report from every angle and submit it within two weeks.

The chief justice ordered the Balochistan police to recover the missing persons at the earliest.

The bench expressed anger and reprimanded the SSP investigation for appearing in civil clothes dress in the court.

“Irony is that people are missing and their relatives are roaming around police stations to register their complaints,” CJ Gulzar remarked.

The chief justice further remarked, “Police officials do not know how to investigate cases. Missing persons’ cases were reported between 2017 and 2018 while the police performance in their recovery has been zero.”

The chief justice also expressed great resentment against SSP Operations, Quetta Ghulam Asghar, remarking that it is the prime responsibility of the police to register cases of missing persons but the police failed to perform its duty “satisfactorily”.

CJ Gulzar reprimanded the SSP operations, remarking that responsibility of the police is to investigate the crime scene. “Police is not supposed to send letters and correspondences.”

When SSP operations apprised the court that a letter was sent to the department of excise and CBR, the chief justice remarked, “The police do not know their responsibilities and duties and you people succeed to alleviate to higher ranks and secure top positions.

“The persons who prepared the report presented before the court must be removed from service and sent back home.”

On the inconclusive report, an irked CJ remarked, “Was this a report? The person who prepared it must be fired from service.”

Further, the court also expressed grave concerns over vehicle smuggling, aerial firing and other crimes ongoing in Balochistan on a daily basis.

The court adjourned the hearing for four weeks. The bench will hear the case in Islamabad.

The Balochistan IG police is ordered to appear before the bench through video link.