Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Friday remarked that severe punishment must be awarded to a convict, but punishing the entire family for one man’s wrong was sheer injustice.
Hearing the missing persons case, he said, “We had earlier decided that undercover persons will not be brought to the fore. But the patience has now run out and we will not care for anyone. We have heard too many stories.”
“The missing persons issue will not be resolved through task force. The government will have to enact effective legislation. The government is leaving all matters with the court.”
The CJP said, “If it is so, the government should give in writing that it can do nothing. We will see how the missing persons are not recovered. The government will have to pay all the expenses to those who are wandering hither and thither in distress in quest for their dear. Stern action should be taken against the accused persons, but their family members be not subjected to injustice”.
Justice Jawad S Khawaja remarked, “Missing persons cases has taken away our peace of mind. How much more injustice will be done to the people who are spending sleepless nights since long? This should stop now in the name of God.”
While giving deadline of August 6, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa IGP, the court ordered him to produce Khairur Rehman who had gone missing from KP come what may.
In the case of missing person Sajjad Ahmad, the court directed the Punjab IG to initiate proceedings against police officers who had not cooperated with law officers and submit a report in the court.
The court also sought details of proceedings of first meeting of task force and policy.
Additional Attorney General (AAG) Tariq Khokhar told the court that the government had constituted task force under the interior secretary for recovery of missing persons. “The task force has started work initially in connection with recovery of 90 missing persons,” Khokhar said while presenting a report before the bench.
The CJP said if there was any important case today it was that of Khairur Rehman.
He inquired from the IGP what had been done in this case.
The IGP told the court that an FIR had been lodged and investigations were underway.
The CJP said, “Afghan was facilitated to escape in return for Rs 1.2 million while Khairur Rehman is still missing and he is not in police custody. KP is facing several problems. Prisoners have escaped. IG Punjab has produced the man within 24 hours and it is a different matter if he is released or not.”
“We are giving another chance to the IG to take action against the accused, recover Khairur Rehman and present him before the court on August 6,” the CJP added.
The court also heard case of missing person Sajjad Ahmad. AAG Tariq Khokhar told the court the missing person Qasim was not in Multan cantt.
The CJP said, “We have already heard several stories of yours. Go to joint investigation team and tell it that this matter be resolved and give us the man.”
The court also heard missing person Farhaj’s case. Punjab IGP appeared and said efforts were underway for his recovery.
The court later adjourned the hearing of the case until August 6.