SC’s directives on missing person
21 recovered, 20 still languishing

ISLAMABAD—The Ministry of Interior Friday informed the Supreme Court Friday that it has so far secured release of 20 missing people out of total 41 and sought more time for release of still missing others people.
“Law enforcement agencies are making efforts to ensure release of the 21 people still missing, but we need more time,” Director Operations, Ministry of Interior Col. (retd.) Imran Mashood said while presenting his report before the Apex Court on Friday.
The Apex Court directed the Interior Ministry to provide a copy of the list of released people to Mrs. Amina Mashood Janjua, In Charge Islamic Centre of Research and Defence of Human Rights (ICRDHR), and coordinatewith the body to formulate a strategy for the release of the rest of the missing people, who are in custody of different secret agencies.
A three member Bench of the Apex Court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhary and comprised of Justice Mohammad Nawaz Abbasi and Justice Syed Saeed Ashad is hearing a case of missing people.
Petitioner Mrs. Amina Masood Janjua informed the Apex Court that out ofthe 16-person list, only seven people have been released so far, two persons, Majid Khan and Saifulah Piracha were in US custody in Guantanamo Bay, whereas the whereabouts of rest of people are still unknown. Giving further details, she informed that Imran Shamsher Khan, of Hayderabad, Omer Siddiq and his father resident of Kotri, Ali Sher ofMardan, Mohammad Tariq of Gujranwala, Atif Idrees, Lahore were released during last two months, while Hadyatullah of Gulshan-e-Iqbal Karachi was released on November 30, 2006 are included in the list of the ministry.
On this, the CJ observed that the Interior Ministry report presented to the court was lacking other required details and asked the ministry to accomplish the tasks within two weeks and make sure presence of the remaining 21 people before the court. “Do you want me to issue more strict orders,” the Chief Justice said adding that the Interior Ministry has only provided the list of only those people who have already been set release.
The Deputy Attorney General explained that on November 25 on the directives of the Apex Court, a list of 41 missing people was formulated in consultation with the concerned provincial governments. “Initially we gathered information about nine missing people and then ten more people were made released, while the authorities were making efforts for the release of remaining people including Mr. Piracha,” Col. Imran said. He suspected that Mr. Piracha might be in Afghanistan, because they have found no clue about him so far.
However, the CJP said it was duty of the interior ministry to find and reunite missing people with their families. “This is a matter of human rights. We will not give more time nor will we let any one to influence the proceedings of the case,” the Chief Justice remarked.