Mother of missing citizen cries out for justice in SHC

Justice Naeemullah Phulpoto of the Sindh High Court told a mother seeking the safe recovery of her missing son that the court sympathizes with her and is making every effort for the recovery of her son.

The judge held out the assurance during the hearing of an application filed by the elderly woman for the recovery of her son Sameer Afridi. The woman arrived in a wheelchair.

During the hearing of an application, she remained unconscious for a while and her husband kept trying to bring her back to consciousness.

The SHC asked the home secretary as well as DIG Investigation Talib Karachi to appear. The court also sought a report from the federal secretary for interior.

It said that when forced disappearance has been determined, it should be revealed which agency has the person in its custody. The elderly mother, breaking into tears in the courtroom, said that if they cannot deliver justice and reveal the truth, then courts should be shut down.

Justice Naeemullah Phulpoto said, “We sympathize with you; the court is making every effort for the recovery of your son.” A government lawyer explained that Afridi is forcibly missing, and a JIT and a task force have been constituted.

Justice Naeemullah Phulpoto inquired about the whereabouts of the investigation officer. The government lawyer said that the investigation officer had gone to Islamabad to attend a meeting.

The focal person of the home department informed the court that a summary had been sent to the chief minister for financial assistance to the family.

Justice Khadim Hussain Tunio said, “Don’t talk about things that don’t exist. How many people are standing here just to save one investigation officer? Only government officials are here to save the investigation officer by taking salaries.”