The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Tuesday gave the Ministry of Defense another opportunity to provide an in-camera briefing on the disappearance of citizen Abdullah Omar, while issuing a stern warning that failure to comply with court orders by the next hearing will invite serious consequences.
Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani presided over the proceedings on the petition filed by Abdullah’s wife, Zainab Zaeem, concerning his non-recovery.
A representative of the Ministry of Defense reiterated before the court that the missing individual was not in the custody of any institution under their domain.
During the hearing, the Assistant Attorney General informed the court that the family of the missing citizen had previously received compensation of five million rupees from the government. He added that fines earlier imposed on officials, including the Secretaries of Interior and Defense, could not be implemented as the officials had since retired.
Justice Kayani stated that the merits of the case had already been settled, noting that both the investigation officer and the Missing Persons Commission confirmed that this was a case of enforced disappearance. “This is a contempt of court matter now,” he remarked.
At one point, the court allowed time to the Ministry of Defense for compliance, prompting strong reactions from family representatives present in court. Khalid Abbasi, father of the missing citizen, accused state institutions of deliberately delaying justice, saying, “They want this case to be postponed — they are waiting for your transfer.”
Justice Kayani responded calmly, stating he had no issue with potential transfer: “Someone else will come and hear the case. The process will continue.”
Meanwhile, the representative of the Ministry of Defense noted that their appeal against earlier fines had gone before the Supreme Court and argued that the case did not progress because judges formerly on the bench had moved to the Constitutional Court.
Justice Kayani advised them to seek direction from the Constitutional Court if required.
Abbasi, however, expressed deep frustration, saying, “We have no hope from them — they are all puppets.”
The court adjourned the proceedings until January.
