Contempt of court notice to be issued to PM others if missing persons are not produced within 24 hours: SC

  • March 18, 2014, 7:31 pm
  • National News
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ISLAMABAD, Mar 18 (Online): Supreme Court (SC) has given last chance to government for production of 35 missing persons within 24 hours who were picked up from Malakand internment center.

A 3-member bench of SC headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja took up for hearing 35 missing persons case here Tuesday.

The court has made it clear on Attorney General (AG) if no positive response is given then explanation will be sought from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and governor and Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and contempt of court notice will be issued to them.

Justice Jawwad S Khawaja has remarked “ we have run out of patience. We have burnt our boats. Implementing law and constitution is left only option with us. Contempt of court notice have not been issued so far to authorities including chief executive of Pakistan so far on the hope perhaps government does some thing and missing persons are recovered. But it seems as if the government is not caring for a jot of the missing persons. We are not satisfied with the replies of federation and province.

He further observed “ missing persons will not return by constituting commission upon commission.
We want missing persons. Give reply within 24 hours. What the government is doing does not serve the purpose of redressing the grievances of people.

A 3-member bench of SC headed by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja took up for hearing 35 missing persons case here Tuesday.

Attorney General (AG) Suleman Aslam Butt, Advocate General KPK Latif Yousufzai, Director Legal Muhammad Irfan, Amna Masood Janjua and Mohabbat Shah Brother of missing person Yasin Shah appeared in the court.

Justice Jawwad said to AG “ You had said that you would show progress.

AG said “we have set up fund for the family members of missing persons. Rs 100 will be given as fare charges and Rs 500 against the meal charges per each.

Justice Jawwad S Khawaja remarked “ tell us about Yasin Shah. We had been showing patience so far. We have been waiting for legislation. We will say no more now.

AG said new commission in this regard has started functioning now and it will take minimum time. He presented notification in the court in this connection.

Justice Jawwad remarked “ either commission works or not, we want Yasin Shah. We issue notices to chief executive of Pakistan, chief executive KPK, governor KPK and seek reply from them. Court is being made laughing stock. . We have descended upon making supplications. You made request for seeking more time and we rejected it. Notification about constitution of commission is not acceptable. First notification came in January, 2014 and now the second has come in March, 2014.

AG said please give a week or 10 days and he will show progress.

Justice Jawwad remarked “ we want these persons. We are standing with Mohabbat Shah. We are given a new order every day.

AG made repeated request for more time.

Justice Jawwad remarked 34th hearing is taking place now. You may continue to do your work for 6 years. We will do our job. Present the explanation within 24 hours otherwise we will be forced to issue notice to Prime Minister, chief minister KPK and governor KPK. Game is being played with us. We have burnt out boats.

The hearing of the case was adjourned till Wednesday.