PM Imran meets relatives of missing persons, issues directions to 'quickly' ascertain their status

Published March 18, 2021
Prime Minister Imran Khan meets relatives of missing persons in Islamabad on Thursday. — Photo courtesy Shireen Mazari Twitter
Prime Minister Imran Khan meets relatives of missing persons in Islamabad on Thursday. — Photo courtesy Shireen Mazari Twitter

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday met a three-member representative committee of the families of missing persons — who held a week-long sit-in in the capital last month — and committed to keeping them updated regarding the progress made on ascertaining the status of their missing family members.

Details about the meeting were shared by Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari in a tweet. Mazari, who also attended the meeting, said Prime Minister Imran had directed the principal secretary to "ascertain quickly the exact status of the missing family members" while assuring the relatives that they would be kept updated about the search.

The premier also emphasised that the government's bill to criminalise enforced disappearances would be "fast-tracked along with whatever other laws needed to be amended", Mazari added.

He also asked to be "kept informed about the progress on [finding] the whereabouts of the missing family members".

Last month, a number of protesters — comprising 10 families of missing men and around a hundred supporters — had gathered to hold a sit-in in Islamabad.

For one week, protesters held up photos of missing relatives under the watchful eyes of police surrounding them.

However, they ended their protest after Mazari visited them at Express Chowk where they were protesting and assured them that Prime Minister Imran would meet a three-member representative committee from among them.

Opinion

Editorial

Hasty transition
Updated 05 May, 2024

Hasty transition

Ostensibly, the aim is to exert greater control over social media and to gain more power to crack down on activists, dissidents and journalists.
One small step…
05 May, 2024

One small step…

THERE is some good news for the nation from the heavens above. On Friday, Pakistan managed to dispatch a lunar...
Not out of the woods
05 May, 2024

Not out of the woods

PAKISTAN’S economic vitals might be showing some signs of improvement, but the country is not yet out of danger....
Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...