Prime Minister Kakar has once again failed to make an appearance before the Islamabad High Court in the case concerning enforced disappearance

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) convened today to address the ongoing case concerning the enforced disappearances of Baloch students. However, the proceedings were overshadowed by the continued absence of Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul-Haq Kakar for the third consecutive time.

Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, leading the bench, expressed evident frustration at the prime minister’s failure to appear and emphasized that no individual, regardless of their position, should evade legal summons.

During the hearing, Justice Kayani firmly reiterated the importance of the prime minister’s presence in court, rejecting any suggestion that it amounted to an insult but rather emphasized the essential role in upholding the rule of law.

Despite previous directives, PM Kakar did not respond to the court’s summons, leading the judge to insist on his presence in subsequent hearings rather than evading to Karachi.

The court expressed disappointment at the lack of concrete evidence or information regarding the missing students, noting the absence of criminal charges against them.

Furthermore, the court’s scrutiny extended beyond the caretaker government, criticizing successive administrations for their inaction in addressing enforced disappearances.

Justice Kayani proposed the establishment of a committee comprising heads of intelligence agencies to directly address the issue, suggesting the need to overcome bureaucratic obstacles for effective action.

While the Attorney General urged patience for the policies of the elected government, the court remained resolute, questioning why enforced disappearances had not been classified as a crime in the Pakistan Penal Code.