ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has summoned the Prime Minister for the upcoming hearing regarding the case of 55 missing Baloch students.
The court demanded the students be presented in court or insisted that the Prime Minister appear in person on November 29. Alongside this, the Defence and Interior Ministers and their respective secretaries were also ordered to attend.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the ministerial committee’s report on enforced disappearances, the court summoned Additional Attorney General Munawar Iqbal Duggal. There was a strong observation that the court was undertaking responsibilities that should be handled by the executive. Concerns were raised about potential humiliation for the country if the issue were to be escalated to the United Nations.
Despite pleas from the Assistant Attorney General (AAG) to avoid summoning the Prime Minister and other ministers, the court emphasized the gravity of the situation, particularly regarding the rights of Balochistan. The court set a seven-day deadline for implementation.
The report presented by Assistant Attorney General Usman Ghumman about the ministerial committee’s session was met with disappointment by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, who remarked that it was shameful for the court. There was a strong call for the Prime Minister and Interior Minister, both from Balochistan, to acknowledge the severity of the matter concerning the Baloch students.
Earlier, the Islamabad High Court had requested a report from the federal government’s committee within a week. A cabinet committee, chaired by the Interior Minister, was established to review enforced disappearance cases, comprising three members including the law and defence ministers. The committee was authorized to seek support from human rights organizations.
