The Supreme Court’s constitutional bench took suo motu notice of child abductions in Quetta, summoning all provincial inspectors general of police (IGPs) and home secretaries to appear at the next hearing.

The six-member bench, led by Justice Aminuddin Khan, was hearing a petition regarding missing children, with a focus on the alarming situation in Quetta, where protests have paralysed the city following the abduction of a child six days ago.

Justice Jamal Mandukhel criticized the government’s inaction, stating, “The entire city is in turmoil, but the government remains indifferent. Even schoolchildren have marched in protest.”

Justice Musrat Hilali questioned the authenticity of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) report, which claimed zero cases of sex trafficking, and demanded clarification on the matter. “How can there be zero cases when the borders are so porous?” she asked.

Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar emphasized that provinces, empowered by the 18th Amendment, must take responsibility for addressing child abduction. He added, “We don’t need reports; we need action and tangible remedies.”

The bench expressed frustration over the lack of progress since 2018, despite the formation of a Supreme Court committee on child abduction, which has reportedly remained non-functional.

Justice Aminuddin Khan directed a comprehensive report on the number of children abducted and recovered, while Justice Mandukhel urged that all IGs be summoned to explain the inefficiency.

Highlighting broader societal concerns, Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi remarked on children begging at Karachi’s traffic signals, while Justice Aminuddin criticized the growing trend of sending beggars abroad, calling it a national embarrassment.

The hearing has been adjourned until November 28, with strict directives for detailed reports and concrete actions from the authorities.