Missing persons' compensation delay angers SHC

Orders authorities to expedite recovery of eleven forcibly disappeared individuals

ISLAMBAD:

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has ordered authorities to expedite investigations and actions for the recovery of eleven missing persons, including two real-life brothers, and to compensate their families.

An SHC division bench heard petitions on Monday for the recovery of the missing persons. Lawyers argued that citizens had been taken into custody from various areas and requested the court to order authorities for their recovery.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the performance of the provincial government and the police, Justice Arshad Hussain Khan remarked that no one understands the pain of the families of the people who have gone missing. "Just imagine how difficult it will be for the families to spend every moment," he said.

Justice Zulfiqar Ali Sangi remarked that no officer seemed to be aware of the court's orders regarding the recovery of the people and payment of compensation to their families. The attitude of the police and the provincial government is regrettable, he added.

"The court had ordered compensation for the families of forcibly disappeared persons.

Were police officers and secretaries sleeping for three months?

"A police officer informed the court that the whereabouts of the individuals have been discovered. However, the officer was transferred by the next hearing. This is like pulling a joke on the court," he added.

When a police officer stated that letters had been written to various institutions but no response had been received, Justice Arshad Hussain Khan remarked that the court was not interested in these details. "Measures should be taken promptly for the investigation and recovery of missing persons," he added.

The court also expressed dissatisfaction with the federal and provincial governments' lawyers for not implementing the court's orders. In remarks, the court said that lawyers show up in court unprepared with no clue as to what they are supposed to defend.

State lawyers stated that the provincial government will compensate families of those whose forced disappearances have been determined. However, some families of missing persons have not yet submitted requests to the Interior Ministry.

The focal person of the Ministry of Interior said a summary has been sent to the chief minister of Sindh for payment of compensation to those whose requests have been received.

The court ordered the authorities to compensate the families of forcibly disappeared persons. The court also ordered measures to be taken for the immediate recovery of Syed Musab, Tahir Ali, Javed, Moaz, Talha, and others.