ISLAMABAD, Dec 6: Pakistan Supreme Court today ordered authorities to present before it the 35 people, allegedly detained without charge, for an in-camera session tomorrow after Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said none of them were in the custody of the Army.
A three-member bench, which includes Justice Ameer Hani Muslim heard the case today here under the supervision of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry.
The court said that the attorney general can also question the missing persons during the session.
Earlier during the hearing, Asif submitted a list of 35 missing persons and details of their locations to the Supreme Court.
Giving details of the missing persons, Asif said seven of them were released, three are living in Waziristan area, one has moved to Saudi Arabia while eight have reportedly moved to Afghanistan and are living in Kunar valley.
He further added that details of five people are not known as yet, while information about seven people mentioned in the list is very sensitive.
The defence minister added that none of the missing persons are in military’s custody.
Rejecting the government’s stance, the bench reiterated its earlier order and asked authorities to bring the missing persons to the court.
Chief Justice inquired as to how the 35 persons who were picked up together by military personnel manage to get dispersed.
He remarked that the information provided to the court was merely speculation and ordered to produce all the missing persons in court.
The Chief Justice added that as per the Constitution of Pakistan, no persons could be detained without being produced in court first.
He further summoned those military officers, who had taken away the 35 missing persons, to record their statement in front of the bench.
The hearing was adjourned till December 9. In yesterday’s hearing, Asif had informed the court that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had assured him that “good news” will be presented to the court today.
The ISI had also met the Sharif to discuss the missing persons case after Supreme Court intensified pressure on the government.
The DG ISI had told the premier that security agencies never victimised any person and moreover investigated all those who have been found in ‘mischievous activities’ against the state across the country, media reports said. (PTI)
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