ISLAMABAD, Jan 22: The Supreme Court on Monday expressed disappointment over the government’s failure to trace 18 persons who have been missing for many years, summoning the chief government lawyer to explain his position on Feb 6.
Headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, the apex court has taken up the matter on the application of Mrs Amina Masood Janjua regarding the missing persons, including her husband.
On Monday, Deputy Attorney General Nasir Saeed Sheikh admitted that the government had not been able to locate the 18 persons.
He said the government had sought the help of the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), Military Intelligence (MI) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB), besides approaching the jail authorities in Afghanistan, but to no avail. Mrs Janjua took exception to the government’s claim.
The DAG was without any answer when the court inquired about the government’s response over the affidavits filed by those released persons who claim to have seen a number of ‘the missing’ in the ‘custody of intelligence agencies’.
“Do not act like a mere post office,” the chief justice observed, adding that the performance of the DAG was ‘zero’ and decided to summon Attorney General Makhdoom Ali Khan on Feb 6 to answer queries.
The chief justice also expressed displeasure with Mrs Janjua for leading a rally in front of the Supreme Court.
However, Mrs Janjua replied that her actions reflected her helplessness. “I am resorting to such tactics because we have become desperate.”
