Missing persons matter a national issue: SC

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday observed that the matter pertaining to the missing persons was a national issue and could not be left unaccomplished.
The apex court asked the federal government and all the four provincial governments to submit all the details about missing persons within two weeks.
A two-member bench of the SC presided over by Justice Jawad S Khawaja took up the case of mass graves in Khuzdar and the missing persons’ case for hearing on Monday.The court has also issued notices to Attorney General Salman Butt and advocate generals of all the four provinces. The court has also called for a written reply regarding cold storages in Balochistan for keeping tortured bodies till their identification.
Justice Jawad S Khawaja remarked, “the matter of missing persons is a national issue which cannot be left incomplete. The family members of missing persons are worried. It is an issue for the entire country. The government has to collect all the evidence with regard to it. Complete information is not available in respect of missing persons so far. The federal government and provinces should provide details on this count to the court. How can the Balochistan government bury tortured bodies without their identification?”
Advocate general Balochistan told the court that cold storages were not available in enough numbers in Balochistan including Quetta to preserve the tortured bodies due to which the bodies had to be buried after two or three days. This practice still continues.
The AG appeared in court during the hearing of the case. The court directed him to provide all the details about the missing persons and provincial advocate generals should also appear in the meantime.
Justice Jawad S Khawaja observed, “The government, not we, have to collect the evidence.”Advocate general Balochistan told the court that a missing person was produced and if he was not traced, an advertisement was given in the newspapers. The court remarked “You don’t do this. You don’t stop even for two days. Give us in writing that you do this. The AG has also to file the reply.” Afterwards, the court adjourned hearing of the case for two weeks.