In Islamabad, the High Court said on Tuesday that it’s okay with intelligence agencies as long as they follow the law. They should help law enforcement, not do things on their own.
In court today, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani talked about missing Baloch students. He said intelligence agencies should explain how they work. He also said police, CTD, and FIA need to be better. These three groups are the main ones who investigate. Other agencies can help them.
The court asked about terrorism cases involving Baloch students in the last ten years. They wanted to know how many were arrested, disappeared, or harassed. The attorney general showed a report about missing people. He said intelligence agencies shouldn’t harass anyone.
Justice Kayani said nobody wants to stop agencies from working legally. They just don’t want them to break the law. The state lawyer said the issue needs a political solution. Justice Kiyani agreed and said talking about it is important.
The court asked the lawyer if it’s true that agencies keep people in custody. They also asked if the government pays for their expenses while they’re in custody.
“Are the agencies’ funds checked?” asked Justice Kiyani.
The attorney general told the court they’re making progress with missing persons cases and asked for more time. He said they’re also looking for a political solution and will discuss it in cabinet meetings soon. The judge said many missing persons have returned home because of the attorney general’s efforts.
The lawyer for the missing students, Imaan Mazari, said the students’ families are being scared.
“As long as there are missing person cases, the courts will keep working,” Justice Kayani said. He said one order won’t fix the problem because it happens again and again.
Justice Kayani said sometimes, when the media talks about missing people, they’re found. He also said we should support the people of Balochistan because they’re also Pakistanis.
The attorney general suggested changing the missing persons committee to include lower-level staff for better coordination.
“If we don’t fix this problem, it will get worse,” warned the judge.
The court asked for a questionnaire by the next hearing and adjourned until June 14.
Yesterday, the IHC told Islamabad Police to get a statement from the ISI commander and report back today about poet Ahmed Farhad Shah, who disappeared on May 14.
On May 16, Justice Kayani suggested a law to give the death penalty to people who make others disappear. He said everyone should be accountable, including himself.
