Court orders JIT session for missing boy’s recovery

Expresses dismay over an agency picking up a 14-year-old hospital worker

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court (SHC) expressed strong disapproval of the enforced disappearance of a 14-year-old boy by an agency.

Leading a two-member bench of the Sindh High Court, Justice Naimatullah Phulphoto inquired if the 14-year-old Ataullah had any criminal record, to which the investigation officer said no.

The SHC directed the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) and Public Task Force (PTF) to convene sessions, while also instructing the DIG to fully cooperate in the proceedings regarding the petition concerning the recovery of Ataullah.

Appearing before the bench on Thursday, the petitioner's counsel argued that Ataullah worked as a maintenance worker at Liaquat National Hospital. He was returning from home from work when an agency picked him up from the hospital gate. The court inquired with the investigating officer (IO) about the measures taken to locate the missing individual. The IO answered that 18 Joint Investigation Teams (JITs) had been held, ultimately uncovering the enforced disappearance of the boy in the previous JIT.

The court voiced strong disapproval and questioned how a 14-year-old boy could be forcibly disappeared. What did he do? Does the JIT Head write blindly? The court inquired about the child's criminal history. The IO confirmed that he has no criminal record and also informed that letters have been sent to various agencies to retrieve the boy.

The court ordered for JITs and PTF sessions to be convened while directing the DIG to collaborate in the proceedings and postponed the hearing until April 6.

Child possession

The Sindh High Court has allowed the custody of five-year-old Shawaiz and his 18-month-old brother Shah Meera to their mother.

The boys will be in the care of their paternal grandparents from Friday to Sunday, and with their mother from Sunday to Thursday.

Saqib, the father of the children, had passed away in November 2022. Following his death, Shawaiz stayed with his grandparents, who subsequently enrolled Shawaiz at a private school in Sanghar. The court mandated that the child be transferred to the branch of the same school in Karachi. The paternal grandparents will cover the monthly expenses of both the children, amounting to Rs60,000. Upon handing over Shawaiz to his mother, the child cried and clung to the grandmother in court.

Justice Zulfiqar pointed out that if a child has not seen his mother in a year, how would he recognise her and it's natural if he cries. Why do you want to keep the children away from the mother? The grandparents responded that they were not permitted to see the children.

The court ordered the mother and the grandparents, to file for guardianship of the children in the trial court, which must render a decision within two months.

Shahwaiz kept running away from his mother to his dada and dadi, refusing to go with his mother.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 29^th, 2024.