Missing persons case: Govt given two weeks to produce internment orders

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday granted two weeks’ time to the federal government for producing the internment orders disclosing that in which offence missing persons have been detained.

A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, heard the missing persons’ case.

Additional Attorney General Sajid Ilyas Bhatti, while submitting an interim report in the missing persons’ case, informed the apex court that 1,330 people have been detained in internment centres.

Similarly, the court was informed that 253 internees have also been released. At this, the court asked the learned law officer as to whether any proceedings have been initiated against the centre to which Sajid Ilyas Bhatti sought two weeks for furnishing the complete details in the matter.

Inamul Rahim, counsel for some missing persons, however, objected to the request of the law officer saying that it is third time they are seeking time, actually, [they are] waiting for lordship’s retirement which would take place on May 7, 2018. Justice Ejaz Afzal, however, replied that even after his retirement, Justice Maqbool Baqir and Faisal Arab would be available. The counsel contended that they are not asking for release, only wanted to know in which offence they are being interned. Justice Ejaz Afzal told the additional attorney general that agencies can't be allowed to hold people for indefinite period.

It was informed that former Chief Justice Nasirul Mulk had passed the order on May 13, 2014, in case of Tasif Ali that his detention order be placed before the court on May 19, 2014.

He said that Tasif is in custody since 2013 and in five years, the court could not get the order complied.

“If the situation persists in the same manner, then people, instead of courts, would approach Manzoor Pashteen for release of their near and dear ones,” Inamul Rahim contended.

Meanwhile, the court granted two weeks time to the additional attorney general to produce the internment orders disclosing that in which offence they have been detained and adjourned further hearing.