SC constitutional bench takes suo motu notice over 'missing' children

Top court summoned detailed reports from all provincial IGPs in the case.

The constitutional bench of the Supreme Court on Thursday took first took suo-motu notice of the missing child in Quetta and summoned all summoned all provincial Inspectors General of Police (IGs) in the case.

A six-member larger bench, led by Justice Ameenuddin Khan, was hearing the case and expressed concern over the rise in child abductions, particularly in Quetta, where protests have erupted following the disappearance of a child.

During the hearing, the bench summoned all IGPs and Home secretaries from all provinces for the next hearing.

Justice Jamal Mandokhail expressed concern over the failure to recover the missing child in Quetta, stating that despite the city being paralysed by protests for six days, the government seemed indifferent. He pointed out that even schoolchildren in Quetta had taken to the streets in protest.

Justice Musarrat Hilali raised questions about the report submitted by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which claimed zero cases of sex trafficking.

She questioned how such a claim could be made when the issue remains rampant. Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar inquired whether any provincial body or commission was working on the issue of missing children, particularly in light of the 18th Amendment, which granted more powers to the provinces.

Justice Mandokhail noted that the entire province of Balochistan had been shut down due to the abduction, but the government seemed unconcerned. He further criticized the lack of preparation by government lawyers on this crucial issue.

The bench was also informed that a committee formed by the Supreme Court on child abductions had not taken any concrete actions since its establishment in 2018.

The petitioner claimed that the committee had never actually been constituted. In response, the Additional Advocate General of Balochistan promised to submit a report on the matter.

Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar observed that the court did not need mere reports but required concrete actions to address child abductions. Justice Mandokhail called for a broader inquiry into the situation, questioning why the authorities were not taking more substantial measures to curb child abductions.

The bench also scrutinised the role of law enforcement agencies, with Justice Mandokhail questioning the role of the Frontier Corps (FC) in social welfare efforts despite the large expenditures allocated to them. Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi pointed out that children in Karachi were seen begging at traffic signals, raising further concerns about child welfare.

Justice Ameenuddin Khan also expressed his dismay at the international issue of Pakistani beggars being sent abroad, calling it an embarrassment for the country.

Subsquently, the top court adjourned the case until November 28, requesting a detailed report on the number of children abducted and recovered across the country.

Schoolchildren stages protest

Schoolchildren staged a protest at Balochistan Assembly Chowk on Wednesday evening, demanding the safe recovery of Muhammad Musawir, a minor abducted six days ago from the Multani Mohalla area.

Holding placards and banners, the children urged authorities to expedite efforts to locate the missing boy. "How can we focus on studies in such an insecure environment?" questioned Abdullah, a seventh-grader, as parents voiced growing fears for their children's safety.

The children's protest coincided with ongoing demonstrations by political parties, amplifying pressure on law enforcement. The demonstrations have paralysed traffic across Quetta, leaving commuters stranded for hours.

Senior administration officials were summoned to the Balochistan Assembly to brief lawmakers on the investigation's progress, but authorities remain without leads, deepening concerns over public safety.

The abduction has triggered widespread outrage among citizens, political groups, and the business community. Protesters have vowed to escalate their demonstrations until Musawir is safely recovered. Political parties, backed by the traders' community, announced plans to block major highways connecting Balochistan with the rest of the country.

A provincewide wheel-jam strike is scheduled for November 25 to mount additional pressure on the provincial government to ensure the unhurt recovery of the child.