IHC seeks AG’s assistance in missing person’s case

Abbottabad citizen Atiqur Rahman went missing 20 years ago

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court has summoned the Attorney General (AG) to assist in the case of Abbottabad citizen Atiqur Rahman, who has been missing for 20 years.

Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb expressed concern over the rising number of missing persons in Pakistan. “People are going missing in Pakistan, who will come here? You are hoping that the dollar will come below Rs280, why would it when all this is happening here?” he remarked.

Justice Aurangzeb heard the petition for the recovery of missing Abbottabad resident Atiqur Rahman. Advocate Imaan Mazari requested the court to issue a production order under the Forced Disappearances Commission.

During the hearing, the court questioned the commission's effectiveness, noting that they handle numerous ordinary cases, which significantly burdens them. Commission officials informed the court that the case has been ongoing in the Supreme Court since 2007. The court then inquired why the commission did not initiate contempt proceedings for non-compliance with the production order.

The commission officials responded that contempt of court applies to individuals, not institutions. The court questioned how the commission implements orders if it lacks authority to act on production orders.