More than 300 people staged a demonstration in Jalalpur Pirwala under the auspices of the Defence of Human Rights Pakistan (DHRP) to press the authorities to trace the missing people. The demonstration was also joined by the parents of missing people, Defence Human Rights, Tehrik-i-Insaf, Jamaat-e-Islami.
NGOs led by Muhammad Asghar of DHR, Khawaja Muhammad Siddique of TIP Qari Muhammad Akhtar JI, Jam Muhammad Yousaf, Muhammad Arshad , Master Muhammad Afzal Khan, and Qari Zafar of JUI.
The protestors were carrying placards and banners inscribed with different slogans. Some of them read, "we are waiting for our dear ones." "My son, Yousaf Rizwan (20) who qualified SSC exam was kidnapped 30 months ago when he went to offer Maghrib prayers, I am still waiting for him, Yousaf's mother told newsmen. She was carrying a portrait of her son.
"It is the government's responsibility to locate the missing people. Whether they are under arrest or have disappeared this is a gross violation of the fundamental rights. "Muhammad Asghar of DHRP said. He further said, "Under the international law, all member states of the United Nations are obliged to make effective laws, administrative procedures, judicial system and devise other measures to terminate acts of enforced disappearances. "My son Siddique Akbar Baloch (22) was a regular 'Namazi' and was picked up by the agencies".
The protestors have announced to organise rallies and demos in Islamabad, Lahore, Multan, Kabirwala and Khanewal. The HRCP has filed a petition Under Article 184(3) of the Constitution in the Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan. The petition is scheduled for hearing in Islamabad on April 10 (today). The HRCP has requested the SC to invite, through a public notice, the families and friends of the missing persons to file the detailed particulars of the victims in the court.
The SC has also been requested to direct the respondents (the provincial governments) to produce the people who have disappeared and disclose their whereabouts and any charges against them on affidavit.
The petition asks for permanently restraining the respondents and their agents from indulging in such unconstitutional, illegal and criminal activities. It asks the SC to direct the respondents to pay compensation to the victims and their families.
The SC has been requested to order to set up an independent commission on disappearances comprising senior lawyers, parliamentarians and former judges for hearing testimony of the people who suffered abductions and specially the family members of Siddique Akbar Baloch of Bait Keesar and Rizwan Yousaf of Kabirwala.
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