The Supreme Court (SC) has issued contempt of court notice to the Frontier Constabulary inspector general for not appearing before it despite repeated orders in the missing persons’ case.
The court has directed the interior secretary and attorney general (AG) to ensure attendance of the FC IG on next hearing.
The court remarked “The FC IG was summoned repeatedly through orders but he did not appear before it. We cannot show more leniency. If he did not appear then he would be indicted.”
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Chaudhry said, “Baloch children are roaming in Karachi. They will return to their homes after finding their near and dear ones. The FC IG considers him above law and constitution. We cannot grant any concession to him. We can go to any extreme end.”
A three-member bench headed by Chaudhry took up the Balochistan missing persons’ case for hearing on Thursday.
Irfan Qadir appeared on behalf of the IG and said “Justice Jawwad S Khawaja has been seized by some misperception. We have never said that we will not implement court’s orders. Please see the court’s order.”
Justice Chaudhry remarked “Call FC IG first. We will not read even a single word. Enough is enough. We will not hear you till the time IG FC appears in the court. We will initiate contempt of court proceedings against him and will initiate these proceedings today.
Irfan Qadir said he cannot appear. You have not to conduct investigative hearing. I am his lawyer.
The CJP said, “File power of attorney first and then we will see it. He will have to implement our orders fully. We are not concerned with it either you file the papers or otherwise. On previous day we also exercised restraint and we did not go to the extreme end.
Irfan Qadir said “Possibility is there I may convince you. Please don’t go to the extreme end.
The court asked him to go without hearing him. The court was told no missing person from Balochistan has returned and no DIG has appeared before CID.
The CJP said, “Irfan Qadir has not filed his power of attorney and has stood for giving arguments. We issue contempt of court notice to the IG.”
The court while issuing order in respect of cases of Balochistan missing persons said no missing person has been produced and they be produced on next hearing.
The hearing of the case was adjourned till December, 9.
Reportedly, FC IG Major General Ijaz Shah admitted to a hospital in Rawalpindi after suffering a heart attack.
An FC official, who spoke to a private TV channel on condition of anonymity, revealed that the IG suffered a heart attack on November 29 and was admitted to CMH Rawalpindi.
The officer insisted that the court orders could not be communicated to the FC chief since he and his family were disturbed owing to his illness.
