ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has given police authorities a two-week deadline to locate four Afghan brothers who went missing from the capital more than a year ago.
Justice Muhammad Asif issued the directive on Wednesday while hearing a petition filed by the mother of the missing individuals, Gul Seema. Top-ranking police officials from Islamabad, Rawalpindi, and Lahore were present in court, including the respective Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs) and the Rawalpindi Regional Police Officer (RPO).
During the hearing, Justice Asif invited Gul Seema to speak before the court, addressing her in Pashto and later translating her concerns for the record. “She has been appearing in court for months. If her sons are no longer alive, someone should at least tell her,” the judge remarked, highlighting the emotional toll the prolonged silence has taken on the family.
Criticizing the lack of progress, the judge said that families of missing persons suffer constantly. He expressed frustration over repeated delays and a lack of clarity in the investigation.
The DIG Islamabad asked for additional time to trace the missing men, but the request was met with resistance from the petitioner’s lawyer, who pointed out that the case had been dragging on for over eight months with no results. He also questioned whether proper FIRs had been registered for each of the missing individuals.
Justice Asif also questioned the absence of the Inspector General of Police, who had been summoned to appear. Government representatives told the court that other senior officials were attending on his behalf and again requested time to file a fresh report.
The court rejected the idea of indefinite extensions. “This cannot go on endlessly,” the judge said. “You have two weeks. Either bring them back or show clear results.”
The hearing was adjourned until May 5.
