KARACHI: The Sindh High Court in Karachi convened on Thursday to address the cases of seven missing individuals, including a minor girl.
During the proceedings, the family of one missing person lamented to the court, chaired by Justice Naimatullah Phulpoto, about the authorities' failure to locate their relative despite several years having passed.
An investigating officer informed the court that the missing individual, Raees, had a history of mental illness. In response, the bench emphasized that regardless of Raees's mental condition, it remained the state's responsibility to locate him, asserting that the police could not evade their duty with such arguments.
Regarding the missing girl from a bungalow, Justice Phulpoto raised questions about the investigation's various aspects, whether she had married or if other factors were involved.
The court reassured the families of the missing persons that efforts were underway to locate their loved ones.
Furthermore, the bench instructed the Steel Town, Mochko, and Super Market police stations to register cases for the missing individuals.
The court also demanded reports from the federal government and various state institutions regarding the matter by August 12.
In a separate hearing on Wednesday, the Sindh High Court addressed the cases of 10 missing citizens, expressing displeasure over the inaction of investigation officers and others involved in the search for the missing persons.
Justice Naimatullah Phulpoto remarked that after 12 years, it remained unclear whether the missing persons had left voluntarily or were forcibly taken.
Additionally, the court summoned reports from all jails and detention centers across the country and called for the head of the joint investigation team (JIT) to explain the failure to locate a citizen missing for the past 12 years from Ajmer Nagri in Karachi.
The bench also directed financial assistance for the family of a citizen missing from Mominabad locality in Karachi since 2012.
