Missing Baloch Students Case | |
Court: | Islamabad High Court (IHC) |
Date Decided: | Ongoing |
Judges: | Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani |
Keywords: | Missing persons, Baloch students, Islamabad High Court, Pakistan |
Italic Title: | no |
The Missing Baloch Students Case refers to a situation in Pakistan where more than 50 students from Balochistan were reported missing. The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has been involved in the case, issuing directives for the recovery of the students.
See main article: Forced disappearances in Pakistan. The Islamabad High Court (IHC) was in the process of adjudicating a case related to the execution of the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances' suggestions.[1] This commission, formed in 2011, had the mandate to determine the location of missing individuals and attribute accountability.[1] As per the court's directive, 69 students from Baloch were racially profiled, subjected to harassment, and forcibly disappeared. While some of these students managed to return home, there are still at least 50 who remain unaccounted for.[2] [3]
Abdul Hafeez Baloch, a Baloch student and M.Phil scholar in physics at Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad, was allegedly subjected to racial profiling and an enforced disappearance. Here's a breakdown of the case details based on news reports:
Additional Points:
The Islamabad High Court (IHC), presided over by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, directed the interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar to present himself in court on November 29, 2023, unless he could facilitate the return of the missing Baloch students.[4] [5] The court also called upon the Interior Minister, Defence Minister, and Human Rights Minister to attend the hearing.[2] [6] The court expressed its dissatisfaction with the progress made by both the commission and the government.[4] [2]
The Interim Interior Minister, Sarfraz Bugti, gave the Islamabad High Court (IHC) his assurance regarding the recovery of the missing Baloch students.[7] On the other hand, Interim Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar stated that he would not be able to appear before the IHC in relation to the case of the missing Baloch students. He cited his overseas commitment to COP 28 as the reason for his absence but assured that the government would ensure representation in other relevant forums.[8] [9]
As of 29 November 2023, the IHC has been informed that 22 of the more than 50 missing Baloch students have been recovered. The court has demanded the return of the rest of the students.[10] [11] [12]