KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Tuesday expressed resentment towards the ministry of interior for its lethargic approach in extradition of two proclaimed offenders in murder cases.

A two-judge constitutional bench headed by Justice Mohammad Karim Khan Agha also directed the additional secretary of the ministry to appear in court at next hearing along with a report on the subject matter.

The bench was hearing a matter about extradition of Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Hammad Siddiqui, a proclaimed offender in Baldia fire factory case, and Syed Taqi Haider Shah, who had allegedly murdered his colleague/senior official of the State Life Insurance Corporation after the victim had revealed financial corruption of the accused inside his office in 2008.

The SHC had repeatedly been issuing directives to the ministry of interior and other authorities concerned for extradition of both the proclaimed offenders from the UAE.

At the outset of hearing on Tuesday, the additional secretary of the ministry along with other officials appeared before the court and filed a progress report.

However, the bench noted that apparently, hardly any progress has been made whatsoever in these proceedings to secure the extradition of Taqi Shah to Pakistan, who had allegedly committed the very serious offence of murder.

“Once again, the Ministry of Interior has provided a stereotyped response, stating that meetings were convened on 06.11.2025 and 08.11.2025 to pursue the extradition of Syed Taqi Hyder Shah; however, no positive response has been received from the UAE authorities”, it added.

The bench in its order also noted that in the past, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has successfully managed to extradite other accused persons from the UAE with far lesser effort, but it was not putting forth its best efforts to ensure the extradition of Taqi Shah, for reasons best known to them.

It directed the additional secretary to also ensure his presence at next hearing and submit a report detailing the progress made regarding the extradition of PO in question. It is expected that by the next date of hearing, the accused shall have been extradited to Pakistan.

The bench further observed that the ministry has not even engaged the consul in the UAE to assist in the matter as was directed earlier by the SHC which reflected a lethargic attitude on the part of the ministry in dealing with the extradition.

About extradition of Hammad Siddiqui, the bench said that apparently the ministry was handling this matter in a highly lethargic manner.

Despite the lapse of more than one year since the order of this court, the ministry has still not been able to track down him, it added.

While adjourning the hearing till Jan 13, the bench said, it is expected that at least the country where the fugitive is currently residing is found prior to the next date of hearing.

Published in Dawn, November 12th, 2025