ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday disposed of the petition seeking protection against the harassment of Baloch protesters with a direction to the authorities to ensure their safety.

IHC Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani was hearing the petition filed by the protest organisers.

Justice Kayani remarked that the people from Balochistan protesting in Islamabad against the enforced disappearances.

The Advocate General informed the court that the government was making efforts to address their grievances and wants the protesters’ safe return to their homes.

During the previous hearing, Justice Kayani remarked that the state institution should have faith in the judicial system and a distrust on the judicial system resulted in enforced disappearances adding that detaining a citizen without due course would be a futile exercise if there is no probability of his conviction. According to him, the terrorism could not be curtailed with detaining the people for suspicion.

He remarked that the concept of disappearances is alien to the civilised societies and the prime minister will be responsible if a citizen goes missing.

Justice Kayani remarked that Pakistan’s image is being deteriorated in the world because of enforced disappearances and the highest office is required to submit an undertaking that the state is not behind this menace.

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2024