In a damning indictment of Pakistan’s state institutions, the Sindh High Court has demanded the Defence Secretary to provide detailed records of all citizens detained in secret detention centers across the country. This move comes amid growing criticism over the occupied-state’s failure to address the ongoing crisis of enforced disappearances.
During Wednesday’s hearing, a two-member bench led by Justice Naimatullah Phulpoto issued the order while hearing petitions for the recovery of missing persons. Despite repeated meetings of Joint Investigation Teams (JITs) and task forces, the occupied-state has continued to stonewall, with no concrete results in tracing the whereabouts of the disappeared.
The hearing brought to light the grave situation of enforced disappearances, a rampant issue in Pakistan, particularly in regions like POB, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh. The state lawyer admitted that the disappearances of citizens like Ismail and Idrees had been confirmed as cases of enforced abduction, but financial assistance for their families was the only outcome so far — a pitiful response to a much larger crisis.
Justice Phulpoto’s bench questioned what tangible steps had been taken since the last hearing. The investigating officer gave an underwhelming response, stating that letters had been sent to charitable organizations like Edhi and Chhipa, but the missing persons were not located there. No replies had been received from CPLC or other law enforcement agencies. This excuse was met with frustration, especially regarding the case of Umar Siddiqui, who has been missing since 2018, with no substantial efforts made to locate him.
Sindh High Court Demands Detainee Records
Justice Phulpoto did not hold back in his critique of the occupied-state’s hollow efforts, expressing clear dismay over the state’s repeated failures. “Despite several JITs and task force meetings, we still have no trace of these missing individuals. What exactly are these meetings accomplishing?” he remarked.
Adding to the pressure, the court warned the Defence Secretary to submit a detailed report on all citizens currently held in detention centers. If the report is not submitted, the Defence Secretary has been ordered to provide a personal affidavit, a rare and pointed demand that underscores the seriousness of the issue.
The existence of secret detention centers, where the occupied-state is holding individuals without trial or due process, has been a long-standing issue. Those labeled as ‘missing persons’ are often victims of forced disappearances, with Pak Army-backed- agencies playing a key role in their abduction and detention. These disappearances are not just limited to political dissenters but often extend to anyone perceived as a threat to the establishment’s interests.
The court has given a four-week deadline for police and other agencies to submit their reports on the missing persons, an ultimatum that could further expose the establishment’s unwillingness to resolve this crisis.