ISLAMABAD: Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar stated on Tuesday that the issue of missing persons cannot be swiftly resolved but the government is dedicated to reaching a solution by attaining consensus among all concerned parties.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad with Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, he highlighted the longstanding nature of the issue, spanning four decades, cautioning against hasty solutions driven by social media or court pressures.
Tarar underscored Pakistan’s role as a frontline state in a tumultuous region over the past forty years, which has compounded internal challenges.
He acknowledged the significant sacrifices made by the Pakistani people and military in combating terrorism, urging these sacrifices to be considered in addressing the missing persons’ issue.
He traced the efforts to address the issue back to 2011 under the PPP government with the establishment of the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, subsequently followed by Supreme Court intervention and the formation of a commission. Out of 10,200 cases referred to the commission, 7,900 have been resolved, leaving 23% pending.
During the previous PML-N-led coalition government, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif formed a committee with representatives from other parties, engaging stakeholders during a visit to Quetta. Tarar mentioned his request for a report on missing persons during this period.
Under Shehbaz’s current tenure, efforts have resumed, with a directive to reconvene the committee and incorporate parliamentary representation, signifying a renewed commitment to address enforced disappearances.
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)
