ISLAMABAD - The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Secretary Ministry of Defence to provide the details of MI Major Haider, who is allegedly involved in the enforced disappearance of Tasif Ali.
Abida Malik, wife of Tasif Ali, claimed that Major Haider of Military Intelligence, had taken away her husband last year and since then she had no information about him. Dr Aslam, the father-in-law of the missing man, had informed the court that he personally met with Major Haider, who used to deal in timber with Tasif but got annoyed over a business dispute.
The police on the complaint of Abida Malik on November 23, 2011 had registered an FIR 386/13 at Sadiqabad Police Station, Rawalpindi against Major Haider.
Ibrahim Satti, the counsel for MI, had objected to the case registration against Major Haider, a serving army officer. According to him, the Army officers have special status and the police could not register a case against the serving army Major and arrest him. However, Attorney General of Pakistan Munir A Malik’s position was that there is no provision in the Army Act, Criminal Procedure Court and Pakistan Penal Code that bar initiating legal proceedings against the serving army officers.
During the proceedings, the investigation officer told a two-judge bench comprising Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry and Justice Gulzar Ahmed that he had gone to Mirpur to question him but could not trace his address. The police further informed that they had written letters to the MI Directorate about Major Haider, but so far it did not respond.
Since March 18 this year the Supreme Court has been hearing the cases of missing persons on a regular basis. In many cases the involvement of intelligence agencies officials is alleged. The court directed the Secretary Defence to inform within 10 days where Major Haider is presently posted and what are his duties. The court directed the police to continue the investigation and submit its report and adjourned the hearing for three weeks.
Meanwhile, hearing the disappearance case of Zaheer Ahmed Gondal, advocate Rawalpindi Bar Association, the bench issued notice to ISI, MI, IB, and asked the Punjab police if they would fail to recover him then the IGP Punjab should himself appear before the Court.
Taufiq Asif President Lahore High Court Bar Association, Rawalpindi bench, appearing on behalf of Zaheer Gondal, said that police using delaying tactics to recover the advocate.