Supreme Court Justice Nasirul Mulk on Thursday said FC, army and intelligence agencies were allegedly involved in the missing persons’ case.
Justice Gulzar Ahmad said, “Balochistan issue is becoming graver with the passage of time. Government and institutions are waiting for what. The affectees have now started winning sympathies from outside the country. As to why the government does not bring the accused persons to justice. Why the culprits are not being brought under the umbrella of law and constitution?”
A two-member Supreme Court (SC) bench, led by Justice Nasirul Mulk, took up for hearing the Balochistan violence case.
Additional Attorney General (AAG) Shah Khawar and Shahid Hamid, counsel for the Balochistan government, appeared in the court.
The court expressed annoyance over non-appearance of the defence and interior secretaries.
Defence Secretary Asif Yasin appeared in the court after the interval and said, “I had received the notice in the late hours of night. I wanted to hold meeting in respect of missing persons and obtain information but the meeting could not be completed. Now it would take place on Friday again.”
Justice Mulk said, “Why don’t you hold the meeting today and take decision and inform the court thereof. We had summoned the defence and interior secretaries who control all the matters and intelligence agencies so that they could tell us who is responsible for all these matters and action could be initiated against them.”
Justice Mulk also said, “Only assurances are made every time. We cannot leave the missing persons matter this way.”
The defence secretary said, “The matter earlier related to 1,100 missing persons and now this strength has reduced to 850.”
Khawar told both the institutions had their reservations on certain things in the matter related to FC personnel return to the army. These officers have been retired therefore the army was not providing information.
Justice Mulk said, “The army officers were taken back in the army about whom it became known that they were involved. Order was issued to identify them.”
Khawar said FC personnel were produced before the CID deputy inspector general.
“We want whosoever are involved therein be proceeded against under law. Balochistan government says these institutions are fully authorised to conduct investigation.”
Justice Mulk said, “If army officers do any thing against law then they can be proceeded against under army act.”
Hamid said the interior secretary was out of the country.
The court ordered the defence secretary to convene joint meeting of all intelligence agencies to address the issue of recovery of missing persons, initiate action against FC and army officers in accordance with the law and present a report.
The court directed the interior secretary to appear on next hearing and adjourned the proceedings until February 20.
