By Asif Naveed
ISLAMABAD; The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday adjourned the hearing of a petition seeking the recovery of missing citizen Umar Abdullah until September 26, directing the Ministry of Interior to issue compensation to the affected family.
Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, who heard the case, expressed strong dissatisfaction over the government’s handling of enforced disappearance cases. The court instructed that a compensation cheque must be handed over to the family before the next hearing, failing which the Additional Secretary of the Interior Ministry will be required to appear in person.
During proceedings, a representative of the Ministry of Defence argued that the case had already been forwarded to the Interior Ministry for payment. Justice Kayani, however, remarked that this was just a “test case” and questioned how many similar petitions were pending before the courts.
The judge criticized the judiciary’s reluctance to form larger benches on the issue, saying, “Our courts are too afraid to constitute full benches because the Ministry of Defence would be held accountable.” He further commented that missing persons remain missing because the courts and the defence establishment appear to be “hands in gloves.”
Justice Kayani also questioned the logic behind compensating families instead of holding perpetrators accountable:
“Is the Government of Pakistan financially capable of compensating all missing persons’ families? Will such payments be made with IMF assistance? Half the country is already drowning in floods.”
The judge noted the contradiction in the state’s narrative: “Those who were once labeled as terrorists are now being compensated. If they were terrorists, they should have been prosecuted, tried, and sentenced, even to death if necessary. But instead, billions are being paid without producing them before the courts.”
Meanwhile, the Secretary of the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances told the court that a special committee was formed by the cabinet to ensure payment to the families. Justice Kayani dismissed the commission’s authority, saying it held “no real standing.”
The father of the missing citizen informed the court that his family had still not received any compensation despite repeated assurances.
The hearing was adjourned till September 26, with the court making it clear that the Ministry of Interior will have to ensure compliance by then.
