Senate welcomes release of ‘missing’ women and children

ISLAMABAD: The Senate on Saturday welcomed the release of three women and their children, whose issue was raised during a Senate session on October 31, and appreciated the collective efforts carried out in this regard.

The Senate had taken notice of three women and three children who were missing and directed the government to take measures for their recovery and apprise the House accordingly. The women and children, belonging to Awaran district, had been in Quetta for medical treatment when they went missing.

Following Senate’s notice last week, Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani directed that a Calling Attention Notice should be placed on the orders of the day for the following day. Accordingly, on November 1, Senators Dr Jehanzeb Jamaldini, Farhatullah Babar, Muhammad Usman Khan Kakar and Sardar Muhammad Azam Khan Musakhel drew Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal’s attention towards the matter.

Rabbani asked the minister to inform the house about the government’s point of view on the violation of Articles 4, 9, 10, 10A and 14 of the Constitution in this regard. The Senate chairman also took notice of a letter written by the joint secretary of Interior Ministry who declared the issue to be a provincial matter.

Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudry made a statement on the subject and said that the women and children had been arrested for trying to cross the border illegally, adding that further information was being sought. Rabbani then directed the minister to gather complete information and apprise the House next day.

In the Senate sitting the following day, Talal Chaudhry informed the House that the missing persons were being investigated and that leads had been established with regard to law and order situation in Balochistan. Ahsan Iqbal also made a statement and assured that measures regarding the issue will be taken while Senate would be kept in confidence.

At this, Rabbani directed the minister to present a detailed response of the government to the Senate till Monday.

Meanwhile, the women and children were ordered to be released.