ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday expressed severe frustration over the handling of the case involving the disappearance of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) activist Faizan. Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, who heard the case, suggested that if basic rights are not to be upheld, it might be better to amend the constitution and remove them entirely.
During the proceedings, Additional Attorney General Munawar Iqbal Dogal appeared before the court. Justice Aurangzeb, visibly agitated, questioned the effectiveness of the current system, remarking, “Change the constitution, remove the fundamental rights from it, abolish our jurisdiction, and run the country just like this. I don’t know what the state is going to get from it. You arrest him, we won’t say anything, but don’t run the country like this.”
He further criticized the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Interior, expressing confusion over the motives behind such actions. He emphasized that the world is closely observing how Pakistani courts handle cases of forced disappearances, and warned that continued inaction could deter international investment.
Justice Aurangzeb also highlighted that the ultimate responsibility for such cases falls on the federal government, including the prime minister and the federal cabinet. The public prosecutor, in response, claimed that the petitioners had approached the court with unclean hands. However, the judge retorted, questioning whether the application should be dismissed on such grounds, and expressed concern over the direction in which the government is taking the country.
In a stark observation, Justice Aurangzeb noted that when a fellow judge issued a strict order in a similar case, the government responded with a propaganda campaign against him. He concluded by stating his intention to pass an order in the current case, emphasizing the need for the government to address the issue of enforced disappearances.
