The SHC division bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice Mushir Alam and Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar, issued notice to the Foreign Affairs Ministry and directed the office of the court to the fix case for hearing after ten days.
Cardiac specialist Dr Akmal Waheed and his brother Asad went missing in a Gulf state, said the petitioner, Ajmal, who is also their brother. He approached the SHC so that it can direct the government to ensure their repatriation as he apprehended that they would be shifted to a jail in the US.
Ajmal submitted at Dr Akmal was earlier accused of having links with al Qaeda, attacking the corps commander’s convoy in 2004 in Karachi and financially harbouring the banned Jundullah. He was, however, cleared of all charges, said Ajmal.
He said that due to the prolonged detention, Dr Akmal and his family had migrated to a Gulf state for employment where he worked at a dental college for a few years with his brother.
On April 4, this year, several Pakistani citizens, including Dr Akmal, Dr Ayaz, Faraz Nasir and Dr Waseem went missing, according to Ajmal.
He submitted that Dr Ayaz was released and returned to the country but his brother was still missing. He prayed the court to direct the foreign and interior ministries to approach the Gulf state for the release of the detainees.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 13th, 2010.
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