ISLAMABAD:
The Supreme Court seemed unimpressed, yet again, by a familiar ‘revelation’ during a hearing of the missing persons’ case on Friday.
Counsel for the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency and the Military Intelligence (MI) Raja Irshad told the apex court that Indian spy agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and Israel’s Mossad were active in Pakistan.
The defence counsel claimed that the two agencies were behind kidnappings in the country and were being helped by terrorist groups.
The chief justice asked the defence counsel if the agencies had any credible information of the involvement of RAW and Mossad, and if so, why had they not taken any action against them. “We did not bar you from taking action against RAW and Mossad,” Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said.
Friday’s hearing continued in the usual fashion – a displeased court reprimanded the intelligence agencies for the treatment of the Adiala ‘missing’ prisoners.
“Were they not human? Why was the right to a fair trial denied to them? We will proceed against you after making some initial decisions,” he said, adding: “You will tell us how the four of them died in your custody.”
‘Picked up under govt’s nose’
Terming the intelligence agencies’ reply on Adiala missing persons unsatisfactory, the apex court took suo motu notice against the abduction of a young man who used to provide food at camps set up by relatives of missing persons outside Parliament.
A two-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Chaudhry, directed Inspector General of Police Islamabad and Attorney General of Pakistan Maulvi Anwarul Haq to submit a report of the incident by today (March 17) and present the ‘missing’ boy before the court on March 19.
The chief justice also remarked that this time someone was abducted right under the government’s nose.
Advocate Tariq Asad, the counsel for missing persons, alleged that Omar Mehmood Khan, 24, was picked up by intelligence agencies because he used to serve food to families at the missing persons’ camp in D-Chowk (in front of the Parliament).
Irshad rejected the allegations, stating that the military intelligence agencies were not involved in missing person incidents.
Omar’s family, who recently returned from Canada, had informed the Human Rights Cell of the apex court about his disappearance through a letter. They wrote that Omar was abducted by the agencies on March 10 near the Orchid Scheme in Islamabad.
The letter further suggested that Omar’s kidnapping followed the pattern of many other missing persons who were picked up: Men, driving two double cabins with tinted glasses, a black corolla, a white Suzuki Baleno and a Suzuki Mehran picked up Omar in front of his father, mother and a younger brother.
Omar’s mother, Dr Rubina, was also present in the court today. The chief justice, while calming her down, said, “We will not allow anyone to act above the law”.
Advocate Irshad, however, asked why all blame was levelled on the ISI and MI. The chief justice replied that “we respect our armed forces and intelligence agencies, but when they detracted then the court and media expressed concern.”
State of Adiala prisoners
During the last hearing, the court had rejected explanatory reports submitted by the defence lawyer and termed them unsatisfactory. The court also sought a detailed report from the chief secretary of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The K-P chief secretary submitted a report on the health of the Adiala prisoners on Friday, which was appreciated by the court.
Counsel for detainee Hafiz Majid, Advocate Tariq Asad, informed the court that his client was suffering from Cancer and Hepatitis C, and asked for permission to shift him to the Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital in Lahore. He added that the faces of the inmates were always covered with masks.
The court was also informed that the health condition of at least three prisoners was still not stable.
Asking ISI and MI’s counsel how the detainees were being treated, the chief justice remarked: “You will be accounted for each and every minute.”
Defending his clients, Irshad attempted to hand tangible ‘proof’ to the court. “I want to give you a CD so that you could realise what is going on in the operation area with the Pakistan Army.”
The chief justice, however, said that they realise each and everything, and even how drones are being bombarded on the innocent people of K-P. “We salute the sacrifices of people of K-P,” he said.
(Read: Of comeuppances, and superior airs)
Published in The Express Tribune, March 17th, 2012.
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COMMENTS (16)
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We will die laughing! What you think that we are idiots? Insane statement. Can you imagine what caliber they must be having, if they are trying to sell something like this to the people of Pakistan?
By looking @ above poll can you believe Pakistan can be saved in next 10 years? New Map in progress.
There's legit criticism of the SJC on many stands and issues, such as failing to take notice of crimes against religious minorities, his dismissal of secularism, white washed commissions, letting Nawaz off the hook, but rushed urgency in challenging the PPP civil government (which is good, but it seemed to be done on the army's behest rather than principle, such as the fizzled memogate), etc.
At least pleased they are finally trying to hold the intelligence forces accountable as well, keeping in line with his human rights activism. Though worry it could lead to little with no serious convictions or future reforms.
If you believe the polls the majority of Pakistanis believe that America bombed itself on 911, OBL is still alive, and now you can add that all your missing Balochs are the result of RAW and Mossad. I suppose its pretty clear that bias can overrule common sense.
@Feroz: I don't think most literate Pakistani readers believe that RAW/Mossad have anything to do with the missing persons or the Baloch problems. The mindset of the average Pakistani (including educated/literate Pakistanis) is that they see nothing wrong with repeating what they know to be untrue so long as it is anti-India. The culture of bias is far too ingrained in the national psyche that people don't see the harm being caused by fellow muslims and other Pakistani "patriots" to any citizen who disagrees with this lunacy.
The defence put up by the intelligence agencies of passing the entire blame on the foreign agencies is untenable without producing credible evidence as rightly pointed out by the court. However, the Pak judiciary needs to be applauded for making efforts to give justice to people whose kith and kins have been victims of high-handedness.
Forget about the article - I am shocked that of the 2000 literate readers who have taken the poll on this issue two thirds or 66% feel and agree that RAW and Mossad are behind the case of missing Pakistani's. Unbelievable, that so many educated people continue to live in a fairy tale Dreamland.
RAW & MOSAD Kidnapped 11 persons from Adiyala Jail Rawalpindi?
Sounds silly the way the Army and the ISI is arguing this. Why would MOSSAD and RAW kidnap terror "suspects"?? If anything, they would encourage them ! Pakistan's credibility internationally is already zero. So I guess, the establishment thinks it has nothing to lose.
it appears that the Judiciary has started playing its role for strengthening the democracy and rule of law. Army or ISI or corrrupt politicians will be answerable to people.. conspiracy theory is rubbish. Are Pakistani police/army/ ISI is so weak that they are unable to trace RAW/Mossad in the country. once you think with reasoning it can be understood the forces behind the missing persons.
Not fair - he left the CIA and MI6 out!!!
BUT why the dirty linen is being washed in courts? the courts are not for this purpose. Where is the Democratic/ Parliamentary accountability system for these institutions? What are so called representatives doing and why we are not asking them to act like ones? If courts will start acting like Executives , soon a breaking point will reach and God forbid the dark night of the Marshalls will come. WHY WE SLEEP AFTER GIVING VOTE, ( definitely once vote is offered on Birradri system and in response to monetary lures then one can't ask for accountability).
RAW and Mossad were also keeping OBL in Pakistani military base for more than 6 years. That is why OBL's six guards did not fire a single shot at the US Seals. The compound is demolished; the Commission is dragging its feet and could not see more than one bullet mark. The problem of OBL's presence is solved. RAW and Mossad were responsible and ISI is as usual innocent and clueless. Even the sun shines or does not shine in Pakistan without the permission of RAW and Mossad. It is a shame that despite the discussion of Balochistan in the US congress, the ISI cannot dare name CIA as they are the richest and most powerful masters.
Well at least someone is holding them accountable. If they are unable to prove their statement, I hope they are convicted for perjury.
Ouch!...conspiracy theorist ISIians wont like this.