federal government on Monday made up a committee of seven for “discussion of a policy”in connection with enforced disappearances in country after the Islamabad High Court (IHC) ordered the heads of of in government explain how disappearances “became state policy”.
According to the notice of the Ministry of Ministry of Internal Affairs, the committee will be headed by the Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazir Tarar and Minister for Interior Minister Rana Sanaulla for Energy and Social Security Minister Shazia Murray for Communications Asad Mahmoud, Minister for Defense Production Minister Muhammad Israr Tarin for Maritime Affairs Faisal Ali Subzwari and Minister for Science and Technology Agha Hassan Baloch.
Recommendations or report of committee will be represented in federal cabinet for further discussions. “The Ministry of the Interior must provide secretarial support committee,” the statement said.
Notification added that the committee will also allowed to co-opt prominent lawyers, representatives of human rights organizations and other members “as they think fit”.
development comes after IHC Chief Judge Atara Minalla, in order for 15 pages on Sunday sent by federal government serve notices on former Retired President General Pervez Musharraf and all subsequent leaders, including Imran Khan and current Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, for after “unannounced tacit approval of in policy about enforced disappearances.
He gave the order in disappearance case of journalist Mudassar Mahmoud Naro and five others people after their requests were fixed for final arguments, but federal government asked for a delay.
Read more: Mudassar Naaru Case: Judge Minallah terms enforced disappearances ‘the worst form of corruption
In his order, Judge Minallah said: “Retired General Pervez Musharraf and all other successor leaders, i.e. former prime ministers, including the current holder of in office must submit their respective affidavits explaining why the court cannot order proceedings against them for alleged sabotage of Constitution in context of unannounced tacit approval of in policy against enforced disappearances and thereby puts national security in risk allowing participation of law enforcement agencies, especially the armed forces.”
“Pervez Musharraf frankly admitted in his autobiography In line of Fire that the “enforced disappearances” were unannounced policy of state,” he said.
The judge indicated out what a burden it was on each chief executive officer to “rebut the presumption and explain why they cannot be tried for a crime of treason”.
He also noted that the armed forces have made and continue to make sacrifices for security and integrity of country and must be respected by every citizen, otherwise the security and integrity of country and its people will be in danger.
However, further in the order, “participation or even perception of participation of armed forces in actions amounting to violation of human rights and freedoms of citizens weakens and undermines rule of law”.
Judge Minalla said that in a case where the missing persons were not located, nor effective and provable actions /decisions have been adopted by the federal government, current as well as former ministers of interior should appear in a person to explain why the petitions cannot be resolved and the approximate costs imposed on them for unimaginable agony and pain suffered by the applicants on Account of flaw of responsiveness and empathy during communication with their grievances.
“Scholarly Advocate general satisfy the court that in case of alleged disappearances in future Why criminal cases are not subject to registration against leaders of federation and concerned provinces,” the order says.
Meanwhile, the court instructed the federal government bring missing persons to justice on the date fixed (June 17) or “justify failure of state to effectively investigate and track their whereabouts.”
