The federal government has reconstituted the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, appointing Justice (retd) Arshad Hussain Shah as its new chairman.
Since taking charge, the commission has accelerated efforts, disposing of 70 cases in July alone while registering 15 new complaints.
Thousands of cases addressed since inception
According to the commission, it has received a total of 10,607 cases related to alleged enforced disappearances. As of July 31, 2025, 8,770 cases have been resolved, with the remaining still under investigation.
New appointments for provincial representation
Alongside Justice Arshad Hussain Shah, the federal government appointed Justice (retd) Nazar Akbar as member for Sindh, Justice (retd) Amanullah Yasinzai for Balochistan, retired Judge Muhammad Bashir for Islamabad, and Justice (retd) Syed Afsar Shah for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. These appointments aim to strengthen provincial representation and streamline case handling.
Financial assistance for families of missing persons
The commission has also begun implementing the federal government’s Rs5 million financial assistance package for families of missing persons. The chairman chaired two meetings to review and present recommendations for such cases to the government.
Visits and policy recommendations
Justice Arshad Hussain Shah visited Lahore and Karachi to hold hearings, personally listening to over 50 cases. He also met with interior secretaries and police chiefs from Punjab, KP, Sindh, and Islamabad to emphasize timely and comprehensive reporting from joint investigation teams and provincial task forces.
The commission has stressed the need for a uniform policy to investigate and resolve cases of alleged disappearances, aiming for faster justice and prevention measures in the future.
