SHC criticizes constant transfers of IOs in missing persons cases

On Tuesday, the Sindh High Court (SHC) in Karachi issued a scathing critique of the frequent replacement of investigators in cases involving enforced disappearances. A high court bench, hearing 15 missing people case, expressed its dissatisfaction to transfers and instructed authorities to avoid unnecessary changes of investigation officers.

The use of cutting-edge technology in place of time-honored methods of investigation was also emphasised by Justice Naimatullah Phulpoto when searching for missing persons. The bench said, “This is the age of modern devices to inquire into cases.”

“The mothers and children of missing persons are anxious and the families of disappeared persons visiting courts for years,” Justice Phulpoto said.

According to the investigation officer’s report, the missing guy Mushtaq had links to the MQM. “He was involved in personal enmities and when he went missing, the MQM and Lyari gangs were engaged in a turf war in city,” IO testified.

IO further explained, “Cases were registered against Mushtaq at several police stations.”

“Try to search him, get the travel history from the FIA, trace his whereabouts,” the court ordered the investigator to do.

“If he has committed any crime, punish him before us, send him to jail,” urged the missing person’s loved ones. We have been making court appearances for eight to ten years. How do we explain to the kids where their dad is, one relative said.

The court has set December 15 as the deadline for the I.G. Sindh Police, the Home Department, and others to file their responses.

The court also ordered the federal government to submit a new report.