During the hearing, Justice Naimatullah Phulpoto expressed dissatisfaction with the progress made by investigation officers (IOs) in cases related to the recovery of missing persons. The bench sternly criticized the lack of headway in the investigations and issued a warning of punitive action against the IOs for their failure to trace the missing individuals.
Justice Phulpoto went on to caution that the investigation officers could be considered as accomplices in the cases of enforced disappearances, stating, “The court will deem the IOs among culprits who helped in the disappearance of citizens.”
The court inquired about the progress made during the given one-month timeframe and was informed by an IO that the previous investigation officer had been transferred, and the inquiry had been handed over recently. The judge emphasized that people’s patience was running thin, and the court needed tangible results.
The Sindh High Court summoned a report from the investigation officer and other relevant institutions, setting the deadline for submission by December 18. Additionally, it directed both the federal and provincial governments to provide fresh reports on the matter.
In February, a two-member bench of the high court had taken up petitions related to the recovery of nine persons who had been missing for years. Expressing dissatisfaction with routine police reports, Justice Phulpoto ordered concerned Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs) and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) to appear before the court and explain why the police department had failed to trace the missing persons.
Furthermore, the court directed the Inspector General (I.G.) of Sindh Police and the Home Secretary to personally monitor the cases of missing persons, emphasizing the need for more effective efforts in resolving these cases.
