The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has criticized the federal government while warning that the chief executive of the country could be summoned for an explanation.
During the hearing on the recovery of missing persons, IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah has said that the government has not implemented on court’s directive. The Chief Justice said in remarks that the onus lies on the chief executive to explain as to why they cannot be tried over the offence of high treason.
The Deputy Attorney General (DAG) Khawaja Imtiaz replying to the court said that a committee under the federal minister for law & justice has been constituted as per the courts’ order for the recovery of missing persons. He told the court that several notices had been served to former president retired General Pervez Musharraf and the successive chief executives of Pakistan regarding enforced disappearances.
Justice Athar Minallah asked the DAG about the interior ministers as to why did they not attend court proceedings and also inquired about affidavits from the interior ministers about missing persons in their respective tenures.
Chairperson of Defence of Human Rights NGO Amina Masood Janjua said in the court that up to 400 people from the missing person category were shifted to central jail Peshawar and requested for her right of audience. Janjua insisted upon summoning the chief executive of the country in person. She also said that the families of missing persons have never been compensated by the government.
Advocate retired colonel Inam-ur-Rehman said during the court proceedings that the honourable court must issue a show-cause-notice to the federal government.
Further proceedings of the case were adjourned till July 4.
