The Islamabad High Court (IHC) reconvened today to address the ongoing case concerning enforced disappearances of Baloch students, yet the proceedings were overshadowed by the absence of Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul-Haq Kakar for the third consecutive time.
Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, presiding over the bench, voiced palpable frustration at the premier's non-appearance and remarked that no individual, regardless of their position, should evade legal summons.
During the hearing, in a firm rebuke, Justice Kayani underlined the significance of the premier's presence in court, dismissing any notion of it being an insult but rather a crucial aspect of upholding the rule of law.
Despite prior directives, PM Kakar failed to heed the court's summons, prompting the judge to insist that he remain present for subsequent hearings instead of absconding to Karachi.
The court lamented the absence of tangible evidence or information regarding the missing students, highlighting a stark absence of criminal charges against them.
Meanwhile, the court's scrutiny extended beyond the caretaker government, indicting successive administrations for their inertia in addressing enforced disappearances.
Meanwhile, Justice Kayani proposed the formation of a committee comprising heads of intelligence agencies to tackle the issue head-on, suggesting a necessity to bypass bureaucratic hurdles for meaningful action.
While the Attorney General urged patience for the policies of the elected government, the court remained steadfast, questioning why enforced disappearances had not been codified as a crime in the Pakistan Penal Code.
