IHC summons PM again in Baloch students' case

Notes that people involved in enforced disappearance should be awarded multiple death sentences

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC), angered by the government’s inability to recover missing Baloch students, has summoned Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar once more. He is ordered to appear before the court on February 19.

Presided over by IHC Senior Puisne Judge Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, a single-member bench resumed hearing a petition filed by human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari regarding the alleged enforced disappearance of over 50 Baloch students.

During the proceedings, Assistant Attorney General Usman Ghuman informed the court that another missing student had been recovered. Requesting an adjournment, he stated that Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Awan was unavailable. The Islamabad advocate general also sought an adjournment, citing the government's need for additional time.

Expressing extreme displeasure at the government’s failure to recover the students, Justice Kayani remarked on his benevolence in refraining from summoning the directors general (DGs) of the country's two prime intelligence agencies.

He noted that the punishment for kidnapping for ransom is capital punishment and advocated for multiple death sentences for those involved in enforced disappearances.

The court directed the caretaker prime minister to appear on Monday morning at 10 o'clock to explain why a case should not be filed against him. The court later adjourned until February 19.

Earlier, on November 22, 2023, the court had instructed the government to recover 55 missing students from Balochistan within seven days.

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Failure to comply would result in the caretaker prime minister appearing in court on November 29, 2023, accompanied by the caretaker ministers and secretaries for interior and defense, it had said.

However, on November 29, the interim PM had not appeared in court due to a foreign visit.

During the hearing, attended by caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bughti, the court had warned that if the missing individuals were not found, it would order the registration of a first information report (FIR) against the interim PM and interior minister.

The court had later released a written order reviewing the implementation of recommendations proposed by a commission on the missing Baloch students. According to the order, 69 Baloch students were subjected to racial profiling, harassment, and forced disappearance.

Of these students, some later returned home, while 50 remained missing. "Former IHC chief justice Athar Minallah had constituted the commission. The additional attorney general confessed that some students were still missing," the order stated.

The order criticized the interim prime minister and interior minister, both from Balochistan, for failing to take positive steps on the matter.

"Even after 21 hearings, the absence of positive results is an insult to the Constitution of Pakistan.

There is no way out except to summon the prime minister, ministers, and secretaries to inform the court why the matter is not being given due importance,” it concluded.