UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances will pay an official visit to Pakistan between September 10 to 20, according to UN sources.

The visit is taking place at the invitation of the Pakistani government, sources said.

The five-member group was established in 1980 to examine questions relevant to enforced or involuntary disappearances of persons. Its members are independent and report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

During it’s visit to Pakistan, the group will visit Islamabad and other cities and hold talks with federal and provincial officials as well as with different groups and individuals.

At its last session session in July, the Group, comprising human rights experts, reviewed more than 200 cases of enforced or involuntary disappearances concerning over 30 countries, including Pakistan.

The group also reviewed responses from various Governments to prompt intervention letters, urgent appeals and general allegations during the session.

It also met with non-governmental organizations and family members of disappeared individuals.

Members of the Working Group also held informal bilateral meetings with States to exchange information with a view to enhancing cooperation.

The Working Group currently comprises Chair-Rapporteur Olivier de Frouville (France); Ariel Dulitzky (Argentina); Jasminka Dzumhur (Bosnia and Herzegovina); Osman El-Hajje (Lebanon), and Jeremy Sarkin (South Africa).