An SHC division bench, headed by Justice Gulzar Ahmed, issued the warrant which can be bailed for Rs20,000.
The bench was hearing a constitutional petition filed by the brother of a Baloch nationalist leader, Abdul Ghaffar Lango, who has been missing since 2009.
Earlier, the respondent was also directed “to swear an affidavit” on the whereabouts of the missing leader of Balochistan National Party. Lango went missing on December 11, 2009, and all federal authorities denied that he was in their custody.
During a previous hearing in the middle of October, Ministry of Defence director legal had filed comments, supported by an affidavit, in which he claimed ignorance on the whereabouts of the missing leader. On the other hand, witnesses said that Lango was whisked away by men in civilian clothes. They came in double-cabin vans when Lango came out of the hospital after visiting his ailing wife.
“We want defence secretary to swear an affidavit by the next date of hearing, failing which he [Ministry of Defence secretary] shall be in attendance with explanation,” the court said. The hearing was then adjourned for three weeks.
Petitioner Muhammad Niaz cited the federal authorities as respondents and alleged that Lango is being detained illegally and is being subjected to political victimisation. The threats to the life of the missing leader were also apprehended.
On Monday, the defence secretary did not attend the hearing and the federal law officer failed to explain his absence. The court expressed extreme displeasure before it issued the arrest warrant against the secretary.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 9th, 2010.
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