ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday directed the defence ministry and intelligence agencies to submit a report in a missing person case.

IHC Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani sought a sealed report by Sept 11.

During the hearing, Justice Kayani said all law enforcement agencies, including the ISI and Military Intelligence (MI) were formed to protect the country. He said the institutions meant for the protection of citizens have failed to perform their basic function.

Last month, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) had produced a missing person, Umar Yar, before the court. Umar, his brother and servant were picked up from Islamabad’s fruit and vegetable market last year. CTD told the court that Umar had links with TTP and that they had recovered four hand grenades, 2.5kg of explosives and two detonators from him.

Umar’s brother is still missing and the CTD SSP informed the court that he is not in their custody.

The interior ministry has denied having any information about the missing man and so did the defence ministry. However, director legal, defence ministry, retired Col Falak Naz sought time from the court as MI is yet to perform its background check. The court sought a progress report on the recovery of the missing person and adjourned the case till Sept 11.

The same court on Wednesday disposed of the petition seeking recovery of missing aid to former president Asif Ali Zardari after his recovery.

He was found near his house in Soan Garden Housing Society on July 25. Leghari was allegedly picked up by unidentified people from his home in Soan Garden in Islamabad on April 4 this year.

Published in Dawn, July 27th, 2017