Islamabad High Court Summons Spy Agencies Over Missing Baloch Students
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has expressed frustration with the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances and has summoned officials from spy agencies for a private hearing. The court, led by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri, and Justice Arbab Mohammad Tahir, is addressing cases of missing persons, including Baloch students.
Additional Attorney General Barrister Munawar Iqbal Duggal requested that officials from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Military Intelligence (MI), and Intelligence Bureau (IB) be exempt from public court appearances due to safety concerns. He suggested an in-camera briefing instead.
Lawyer Imaan Mazari reported that 187 people have gone missing since August, with the Baloch Yakjehti Council compiling the list. Justice Kayani emphasized the government’s duty to provide details on missing persons, even if they are detained in Afghanistan.
The court has summoned the inspector general of Balochistan police for the next hearing and will hold an in-camera briefing with ISI, MI, and IB officials.
Earlier, Sammi Deen Baloch, General Secretary of Voice for Baloch Missing Persons, addressed the UN Human Rights Council, highlighting the humanitarian crisis in Balochistan caused by Pakistan’s armed forces. Despite travel restrictions, she thanked Front Line Defenders for enabling her to speak out. She urged international action to address human rights abuses and help locate missing persons.
Doubts Revealed
Islamabad High Court -: This is a big court in Pakistan’s capital city, Islamabad. It makes important legal decisions.
Spy Agencies -: These are secret organizations that gather information to protect the country. In Pakistan, they include agencies like ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence).
Baloch Students -: These are students from Balochistan, a region in Pakistan. Some of them have gone missing, and people are worried about them.
Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances -: This is a group that looks into cases where people have gone missing, often without any explanation.
Private Hearing -: This is a meeting in court that is not open to the public. Only certain people can attend.
Missing Persons -: These are people who have disappeared and nobody knows where they are.
Lawyers -: These are people who help others understand the law and represent them in court.
Disappearances -: This means people have gone missing and their whereabouts are unknown.
Sammi Deen Baloch -: She is a person who fights for human rights, especially for people in Balochistan.
Human Rights Advocate -: This is someone who works to make sure everyone is treated fairly and has their basic rights respected.
UN Human Rights Council -: This is a group of countries that work together to protect human rights around the world.
International Action -: This means getting help or support from other countries to solve a problem.
Human Rights Abuses -: These are actions that take away people’s basic rights, like freedom and safety.
Pakistan’s Forces -: These are the military and police in Pakistan who are supposed to protect the country and its people.
