'Many missing persons cases found to be bogus'

The Cabinet Committee on Enforced Disappearances on Wednesday directed the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances to submit a detailed report with verifiable facts and figures regarding the missing persons.

The Committee session was presided over by Minister for Law and Justice Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar.

During the meeting, updates were sought on the facts and figures of cases currently under review by the Commission. It was observed that discrepancies exist between data presented by the Commission and figures reported by human rights organisations and civil society.

The Committee was informed that many cases reviewed by the Commission were found to be bogus, with some individuals being proclaimed offenders who had fled the country to avoid legal proceedings.

As per the Cabinet's direction, a financial support package of up to Rs5 million would be provided to families of individuals missing for over five years, subject to verification of legal heirs by NADRA.

The Committee directed the Commission to submit a comprehensive report with verifiable facts and figures regarding missing persons. It also emphasised the need for the incoming chairperson of the Commission to launch a public awareness campaign for the complaint mechanism and expedite the processing of financial support packages for affected families.

The Committee, constituted by the federal cabinet, includes the ministers for law and defence, the attorney general and the secretaries of interior and law divisions.