The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday sought comments from the directors generals of ISI, IB, FIA and others on the petition seeking recovery of Barrister Awais Ali Shah, the son of Sindh High Court’s (SHC) Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah.
The apex court bench comprising Justice Amir Hani Muslim, Justice Gulzar Ahmed, Justice Mushir Alam, Justice Faisal Arab and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain was hearing the petition filed by the Sindh High Court Bar Association (SHCBA) at its Karachi registry.
The petitioner’s counsel, Khalid Javed, stated that advocates have serious concerns over the unfortunate incident of kidnapping of Barrister Shah. He added that the SHC CJ’s son was kidnapped 25 days back but nothing had happened for his recovery which had shattered the confidence of lawyers and public at large.
“The state should ensure early recovery of Awais Ali Shah through the help and assistance the federal and provincial agencies,” the court observed.
The SHCBA prayed the apex court to direct the authorities concerned for taking immediate measures for the recovery of kidnapped barrister and apprehension of the culprits.
The petitioner also requested the court to direct the authorities concerned to devise and implement a plan to improve security of the judges, lawyers, their families and court complexes.
The court noted that that a few days before the abduction of Barrister Shah, a vilification campaign against the superior judiciary’s judges was started on social and electronic media. But after his abduction, a regular campaign of character assassination of the judges had started but the PTA and the PEMRA had not taken action against such campaigns. The court also issued notices to the chairmen of PTA and PEMRA to appear before it and explain as to why they remained unable to take actions against such campaign maligning the institution.
While seeking comments from director generals of ISI, IB, FIA, attorney general of Pakistan, advocate general Sindh and the prosecutor general Sindh on the next hearing, the apex court adjourned the hearing till 21st of July 2016.