ISLAMABAD – The Supreme Court’s constitutional bench on Thursday took suo motu notice of a child abduction case in Quetta during proceedings related to missing children across the country.
The SC bench headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan heard a petition concerning missing children nationwide.
During the hearing, Justice Jamal Mandokhail remarked that a child has been missing in Quetta for six days without being found. He came down hard upon the authorities for their inaction, pointing out that protests have paralyzed the city, and even schoolchildren have taken to the streets to protest.
Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar inquired if any province established a commission or institution specifically working on child abduction cases. He noted that after the 18th Amendment, the provinces have the authority to address such issues.
Justice Musarrat Hilali emphasized that child abduction is a critical issue and lamented the lack of preparation by the government lawyers.
Justice Mandokhail further observed that the case has been ongoing since 2018, yet children are still being abducted.
“Every other case we receive involves child abduction,” remarked the judge, pointing out that the Supreme Court’s committee on the matter has failed to take any action. A petitioner noted that the committee had not even been formed.
The Additional Advocate General of Balochistan offered to submit a report on child abduction, to which Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar responded, “We don’t need reports; we need action and prevention,”.
Justice Aminuddin Khan demanded a detailed report, asking, “How many children have been abducted? How many have been recovered?”
Justice Musarrat Hilali criticized Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s report, saying that it glossed over the issue.
“With open borders everywhere, how can such a rosy report be accurate? Ensure the rule of law is upheld,” she said.
Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi highlighted the plight of children begging at traffic signals in Karachi while Justice Aminuddin remarked, “We have become international in sending beggars abroad. It’s a matter of great shame,”.
The court, later, summoned all provincial police chiefs and the Secretary of the Interior for the next hearing, and adjourned the case until November 28.
