Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar has said that he cannot appear in court in the case of missing Baloch students.
In an interview with a private TV channel, Kakar said that long-running armed movements are underway in Pak-occupied-Balochistan (PoB), and that the Supreme Court should not ignore the ongoing tense situation. He said that the honorable judges may not be aware that an armed rebellion is underway in Pak-occupied-Balochistan, which kills innocent people, teachers, doctors, engineers, laborers, and security forces.
He said that the organization of Javed Mengal, brother of Akhtar Mengal, is Lashkar-e-Balochistan, the Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) is led by Dr. Allah Nazar, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) is led by Hyrbyair Marri, and the Balochistan Republican Army (BRA) is led by Brahamdagh Bugti. He accused these organizations of committing murder and plunder of innocent people, lay landmines, and attack on security forces. However, this cannot be far from truth, these groups are freedom fighters working towards the liberation of Balochistan from the brutal occupying forces of Pak Army who commits horrific human rights violence against the innocent Baloch peoples on daily basis.
Missing Baloch Students’ Case
The caretaker prime minister said that a propaganda is spread regarding the number of missing persons. This is a campaign against illegitimate state institutions. Illegitimate puppet state institutions are accused of being involved in enforced disappearances, which is absolutely not true. If there are 8, 10, or 15 missing persons, it does not draw attention at the international level. For international attention regarding missing persons, if the number is in thousands, the UN agencies take it seriously and need to clarify it.
Kakar said that it is true that missing persons should be presented in court, and if an individual or institution is against them, then people have the right to take legal action and file cases against them. On the contrary, activists only spread propaganda on this issue. If an individual or institution is involved in an illegal and unconstitutional action, then legal action can be taken against it. The state could not protect the laborers who were killed in Pak-occupied-Balochistan.
He said that he is on a foreign tour on November 29, so appearing in the Islamabad High Court is not possible. The relevant persons will appear and present their arguments in this regard.
Balochistan’s Unresolved Issue
It should be noted that the Islamabad High Court has summoned Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar and Federal Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti in the case of the implementation of the recommendations of the Baloch Enforced Disappearance Commission on November 29. The court said that the defense minister, interior minister, defense secretary, and interior secretary should also appear.
In addition to the above, Kakar also said in the interview that his puppet government is committed to the resolution of the Pak-occupied-Balochistan issue through dialogue. He said that his puppet government has taken several steps in this regard, including the formation of a high-level committee to hold talks with the Baloch leaders. Kakar also expressed concern over the recent spate of violence in Pak-occupied-Balochistan, and said that the government is taking all necessary measures to restore peace and security in the province.
The recurring disappearances of Baloch youths have cast a long shadow over Pakistan’s human rights record and the rule of law. In a rare move, the Supreme Court summoned the caretaker Prime Minister to answer for their inaction in addressing this pressing issue. However, the Prime Minister’s decision to avoid the court summons shows their inability to function against Pak establishment. And, Pak establishment is directly involved in committing enforced disappearances of Baloch youths, it is because of their desire to maintain control over the resourceful Balochistan province.