Defence minister submits list of missing persons, says not a single person is in military's custody. PHOTO: FILE
A three-member bench which includes Justice Muslim heard the case today in Islamabad under the supervision of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry.
The court said that the attorney general can also question the missing persons during the session.
Earlier during the hearing, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif submitted a list of 35 missing persons and details of their locations to the Supreme Court.
Giving details of the missing persons, Asif said seven of them were released, three are living in Waziristan area, one has moved to Saudi Arabia while eight have reportedly moved to Afghanistan and are living in Kunar valley.
He further added that details of five people are not known as yet, while information about seven people mentioned in the list is very sensitive.
The defence minister added that none of the missing persons are in military’s custody.
Rejecting the government's stance, the bench reiterated its earlier order and asked authorities to bring the missing persons to the court.
The hearing was adjourned till December 9.
Speaking to the media after the hearing ended, Asif said that the government will produce a certain number of people in the court tomorrow.
In yesterday’s hearing, Asif had informed the court that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had assured him that “good news” will be presented to the court today.
The Director General of the Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) had also met the prime minister to discuss the missing persons case after Supreme Court intensified pressure on defence authorites.
The DG ISI had told the premier that security agencies never victimised any person and moreover investigated all those who have been found in ‘mischievous activities’ against the state across the country.
COMMENTS (10)
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@naeem khan Manhattan,ks: Pakistan was not a significant country in the list of most dangerous countries in the year 2006.It came in the middle of the said list somewhere in Oct 2007, after Lal masjid incident and when the SC with its new found vigour released about more than 2000 terrorists apprehended from the mosque after the military operation.There after it remained in the list of 10 most dangerous countries. It happened because probably the CJ/ courts freed almost all 'terrorists' whether convicted or apprehended earlier during Musharraf tenure.The CJ in the name of enforcement of fundamental rights started suo motu notices which some called a villification campaign against the intelligence agencies,law enforcement agencies/ forces and also the civil administration by passing questionable remarks and conduct of court proceedings. This not only demoralised them but weakened their grip and encouraged the 'terrorists',insurgents and criminals. Continued deterrioration in law and order situation in the three provinces and now also in the Punjab is the direct result of extremely hostile attitude of the CJ.This all has happened during the period of elected governments, when everything is under the civilian control since the year 2008.The CJ during the course of current Proceedings in the missing persons case remarked,that record exist that these persons were taken by the military.It clearly,indicates that these are not missing persons and that they have not been kidnapped or kept in illegal confinement.So it is not a question of obeying the law of land and the constitution.It is something else with sinister motive. Is someone playing to the ' Gallery' and in the process, the country is moving towards chaos?.
@Muneer: It is people like you who has no regards for the laws and the constitution of Pakistan. Look around you , Pakistan is the most dangerous country on earth and you people has earned this distinction. In civilized countries, the Army and the intelligence agencies are under the civilian rule and not the other way around. When you start accepting and obeying the laws of the land and the constitution then peace will prevail in Pakistan. The laws are not just made for the common people only but the ruling elite should also abide by it. I thought kidnaping and illegal dentetion is against the Pakisani laws. Don't blame the courts, it is those who don't obey the courts and think that they are above the law.
NOTHING will happen. December 7 will come and pass.
@fawad:
"We are the only nation in the world who believes enforcing supremacy of our constitution will result in destalisation."
You're mistaken, we are not alone in this endeavor. Even a most resourceful superpower has to resort to the similar tactics to handle the suspected terrorists and hardened criminals, and FYI she is still going very strong. You must have heard of the Guantanamo Bay Prison and about the dozens of detention/interrogation centers established in other countries for US government just to deprive the illegally held detainees the rights and protections guaranteed by the American constitution and laws.
CJ and his cohorts must seek apology from every Pakistani for violating constitution by falsely accusing the armed Forces of Pakistan & running defamation campaign on his favorite private channel through his blessed anchor. If constitution is sacred, than its every article has same sanctity. The Courts and Media have violated the sanctity of constitution by demonizing the Officers and Men of Pakistan Army & Frontier Corps.
@fawad: The CJ's conduct of court proceedings/remarks could have a demoralising affect on agencies who have no personal interest in these people. It could put the life of operators in danger whoes names are all over and who have just performed their official duties to protect us.And certainly,'terrorists',insurgents and criminals must be feeling emboldened. Any increase in lawnessness in the country will be indicative of it.For information purpose,it is a serious offense in the USA to uncover intelligence operators by disclosing their names which are not even told to or in the court.We need to handle situation sensibly and with care.
Is this muk-muka the good news promised by the Liar-n-Chief Khawaja Asif yesterday?
@muneer: Illegal detention by our agencies will destabilise this country. We are the only nation in the world who believes enforcing supremacy of our constitution will result in destalisation.
The CJ has compromised the security of Pakistan.Likely destabilisation of the country could be a possibility.
Good news. RIP