Apex court tells defence additional secretary to 'save the government’s dignity and obey court orders.' PHOTO: FILE
The court had earlier given one-hour deadline to the government, however, this was extended as defence authorities failed to produce the missing persons.
A three-member bench heard the case in Islamabad under the supervision of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.
Earlier during the hearing, the defence ministry’s additional secretary informed the court about the whereabouts of three more missing persons and requested the bench to keep the identity of two persons a complete secret as their lives might be under a threat. The secretary added that the government is working hard to trace all the missing persons.
The chief justice said that the revelations made by the government time to time point out that it knows everything about the missing persons but is not informing the court. “Save the government’s dignity and obey court orders,” he told the additional secretary.
Defence secretary Khawaja Asif also informed the bench that he has met the prime minister before coming to the court and that they have discussed about formulating a law related to the issue.
The bench reiterated its stance and told Asif that it can give him a written order as well to speed up the work.
The court adjourned the hearing till December 5 and asked IG FC to appear before the bench in the next hearing.
While speaking to the media after the hearing ended, Asif said he respects court orders and will try to present definite updates on the issue in the next hearing.
Refusing to give specific details because of the sensitivity of the issue, Asif said all missing persons have not been located as they are reportedly kept in internment centres spread across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
In a previous hearing, the court had asked the government to present 33 out of 35 missing persons at 11:30am today, after it was informed that two of the missing persons had died in custody.
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1731666526-0/Express-Tribune-(9)1731666526-0-270x192.webp "watch salat al istisqa offered across the country on prime minister s appeal")
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1731656720-0/Copy-of-Untitled-(44)1731656720-0-270x192.webp "constitutional bench can also take suo motu notice sc judge")
So what happens when the military/govt shows up and says - we don't know where they are? The problem with CJ involvement in issues is that despite the headlines he rarely (if ever) accomplishes anything - not much different than ET editorial pointing out obvious deficiencies in govt - but the Editor has no authority to change anything.
@Ian: You wouldn’t be saying that if you’re loved ones went missing due to suicide attack or action of militants. Seems like you’re ok with terrorists, too. Sick!
Judiciary has taken over the country unconstitutionally and has made the office of Prime Minister of Pakistan ineffective. There contemptuous behavior with all & sundry has dented the credibility & everyone is repenting for supporting the reinstatement of a Judge. This show down in the boar sty will leave many bruised.
Banana Republic
Well done Raheel Sharif....
Judiciary has become a State Within a State. It has repeatedly declared war on different institutions. This gang of four has to be checked or democracy will once again go for a ride.
@AliKuliKhan You wouldn't be saying that if you're loved ones went missing. Seems like you're ok with Guantanamo Bay, too. Sick!
The court should realize that there is a war going on. Courts do not interfere with how the government deals with the prisoners of war. The unfortunate part is the the government cannot declare war on terrorists because they are our own brothers. The SC should have left this matter in the cold storage like so many others. It is becoming embarrassing for both the government and the court.
You must be kidding, 1 hour! These issues have not been solved for years.
Army challenges the supremacy of the supreme court. Even PM Pakistan had presented himself before the court but a Major General refuses to do so.