Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: The number of missing persons is on the rise every passing day in Balochistan with no solace in sight for the aggrieved families, said Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudhry on Wednesday.

Heading a three-member bench hearing a case relating missing persons and law and order in Balochistan, the Chief Justice said the Inspector General of Balochistan and Defence Secretary should appear before the court, directing the concerned authorities to arrest the miscreants involved in lawlessness in the  province.

The apex court, Justice Jawwad S. Khwaja noted, is full-fledged cognizant of Balochistan issue, as the entire bench of the apex court visited the province; hence, the judges do not want to waste more time.

Pleading before the bench, Attorney General of Pakistan Irfan Qadir said people illegally cross into Afghanistan through the porous Pak-Afghan border leaving no record behind.

Justice Khilji Arif Hussain remarked that the report produced today has no utility as all details contained therein are already present with the apex court.

Justice Jawwad S. Khwaja queried Attorney General if he confessed of government’s failure. However, he (the AG) asserted that the agencies are functioning as usual and every Pakistan wishes peace in Balochistan.

It should be mentioned here that a committee today submitted to the court its report on missing persons prepared by Inspector General of Punjab Police. But, Justice Khwaja said how a person who never visited Balochistan, can compile a report on the province.

According to the committee’s report, as many as 118 persons are missing; of them, 29 names are doubly written. Bodies of nine missing persons were recovered; 16 missing persons have been found out. However, there are mere allegations regarding 17 missing persons, according to the report. SAMAA