The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought from the federation a comprehensive and viable policy regarding missing persons within 10 days.
A three-member bench of the apex court headed by the chief justice heard identical petitions for recovery of missing persons on Tuesday.
The court directed the government to ensure recovery of missing persons, as the condition of missing persons in detention centres was critical.
The court remarked that the people could not be forcefully picked up and if they had committed crimes, they should be dealt with according to the law of the land.
During the course of proceedings, the chief justice remarked that it was a primary duty of the state to grant fundamental rights to the citizens and protect the same.
The bench contended that government should take missing persons matter seriously, else the court would pass orders in this regard.
Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed observed that the court was giving opportunity to the federal government, otherwise the law would take its course.
The chief justice remarked that the policy regarding missing persons should be meaningful and that cases of people who were detained in detention centres were not being heard in the courts, with over 500 people remaining detained in these detention centres. The chief justice added that missing persons were not being produced before the courts.
The case was adjourned until August 2 following directions to the government to formulate a comprehensive policy.