A two-member bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice Javed Iqbal was informed on Thursday that the government was considering a plan to give compensation to the families of missing persons. Appearing on notice, Additional Attorney General KK Agha informed the court that the government had proposed to give Rs 60,000 as a year’s compensation to the family of each missing person.
He said the Interior Ministry would constitute a committee for examining the missing persons’ cases in this regard.
To a court query, he said the compensation had already been given to the heirs of the missing persons been killed in target attacks in Balochistan. He said the government’s commission would submit its final report on the matter, particularly eight chronic and important cases, in June.
Justice Javed Iqbal expressed dissatisfaction over the compensation amount, observing that the government should make efforts to raise the amount. He said there were billion of rupees in the Baitulmal that should be utilised for the purpose. “I will consult the finance secretary about the issue,” Justice Javed Iqbal said. He said the court was aware of the economic condition of the government and directed the government to furnish a progress report on the chronic cases of missing persons.
The court, while expressing its annoyance over the capital police for not registering the cases of two missing persons, directed KK Agha to submit a reply in this regard today (Friday). The court also reprimanded an official of the Intelligence Bureau, Irfan Durrani, for using his unnecessary influence for the release of his relative involved in the abduction of a woman. Later, the court adjourned the proceedings for two weeks.
