Detention of Pakistani businessman: notice issued to foreign minister, others in contempt plea

The Sindh High Court on Wednesday issued notice to foreign minister, secretary ministry of foreign affairs and federal cabinet secretary for July 13, 2006 in contempt of court application filed against them for allegedly disobeying the court's order in detention matter of Pakistani businessman.
The contempt plea was moved by Farhat Paracha, wife of Saifullah Paracha, who is now detained by US army at its military camp at Guantanamo bay, Cuba.
The petitioner submitted action be taken against the alleged contemners for violating court's order of September 9, 2003 in which contemners were directed to take all necessary steps to protect the interest and welfare of detainee in accordance with the law.
The SHC had earlier disposed of petition for ascertaining whereabouts of petitioner's spouse with above said direction after came into knowledge that Saifullah Paracha was detained by the US army in Kabul, Afghanistan.
The petitioner submitted in application that US President George Bush had announced that Pakistani detainees would be released from Guantanamo detention cell but expressed apprehension that in order to avoid return of her spouse to Pakistan he might be shifted to some other detention camp as their son Uzair Paracha was also subjected to illegal trial in court of New York, US.
She apprehended that her spouse to be indicted for no wrong. The court was prayed to ensure safe return of her spouse and protect his interest and welfare by using all diplomatic channels.
SHC's division bench comprising Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali and Justice Mohammad Afzal Soomro after preliminary hearing of the application issued notice to alleged contemners for July 13.
Petitioner's spouse, who also managed business in New York, was mysteriously missing when he scheduled to fly to Thailand from Karachi for a business meeting on July 5, 2003.