Missing persons' relatives reject proposed commission

ISLAMABAD The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned the hearing of missing persons case for one week due to absence of head of the bench Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan. It is relevant to mention here that in previous hearing, the Government has informed the apex court regarding formation of a judicial commission in this regard. However, the Federal Government has formed a three-member pledged judicial commission but relatives of missing persons expressed their concerns over the said commission. Rejecting the idea of formation of the commission for resolving the issue of enforced disappearance, the families of the missing persons announced that they would go on strike if their cases were shifted to the commission. Talking to the media men outside the SC building, Amina Masood Janjua, Chairperson Defence of Human Rights Pakistan (DHRP), Vice President DHR Saad Saleem and family members of missing persons said that only Supreme Court was a ray of hope for them. Amina said that the establishment of the commission was conspiracy of the Government. While referring the Minister for Human Rights letter to her, she said that the relatives of missing persons had reservations over the formation of this commission by the Government. We cannot start from zero once again; it is not acceptable for us and we have decided that we would go on strike if this commission is established, she announced. She continued that the Government should enforce the United Nations legislation on enforced disappearance and compensate the families of missing persons, which were living in a helpless condition. The case of missing persons would lose its significance, if it shifted to the commission, Amina opined.

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