Islamabad (Web Desk): The Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday voiced strong concern over the growing issue of missing children and has instructed provincial authorities to provide comprehensive reports detailing the number of children abducted and recovered.
The top court also summoned the Inspectors General of Police (IGPs) and Home Secretaries from all four provinces to appear at the next hearing on the 28th of this month.
The six-member Constitutional Bench, led by Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan and comprising Justices Jamal Khan Mandokhail, Muhammad Ali Mazhar, Syed Hasan Azhar Rizvi, Musarrat Hilali, and Naeem Akhtar Afghan, was hearing a petition regarding the increasing number of missing children across Pakistan.
The petition highlighted concerns about the lack of progress from the committee established by the SC to address this issue.
Justice Jamal Mandokhail expressed disappointment over the failure of law enforcement agencies to act, citing the abduction of 10-year-old Muhammad Mussawir in Quetta just a week ago, despite ongoing protests in the city.
Justice Musarrat Hilali questioned the adequacy of a report submitted by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, remarking that the open borders issue should not be used as an excuse, and that law enforcement must be strengthened at all costs.
Justice Hasan Azhar pointed to the growing problem of children begging at traffic signals, while Justice Amin expressed concern over Pakistani citizens traveling abroad for begging purposes.
Although the case of missing children has been pending in the SC since 2018, today’s proceedings and the summons of the IGPs and Home Secretaries were seen as a significant step, with many considering it the first suo motu action by the Constitutional Bench on this matter.