By Rana Malhi
ISLAMABAD
Families of missing persons gathered outside the Islamabad High Court on Monday, June 30, demanding the recovery of their loved ones and the resumption of cases of enforced disappearance which remain pending in courts.
Protesters said that since the dissolution of the three-member bench in March 2025, which was hearing these cases, over 20 petitions regarding enforced disappearances continue to remain unresolved. They called on the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to reconstitute the bench immediately and resume hearings without delay, so that justice can be delivered.
Lawyers and human rights activists also joined the protest in solidarity with the families.
Among the protesters was Mahazeb Baloch, the niece of Rashid Hussain, who has been missing for the past seven years. Traveling repeatedly from Balochistan to Islamabad, she has been persistently campaigning for her uncle’s recovery.
“If my uncle has committed a crime, he should be presented before a court and tried legally,” she said.
Zahid Hussain, a resident of Nathiagali, has been seeking the return of his brother, who has been missing for the past 10 years.
“My brother was a teacher. We do not even know if he is alive or not,” he said.
From Abbottabad, Yasir has been making repeated visits to Islamabad along with his family to press for the recovery of his brother-in-law, missing for 21 years.
“We are going from door to door for justice, but no one is helping us,” Yasir told reporters.
Carrying placards and chanting slogans, the families urged authorities to take immediate steps for the safe return of their missing loved ones and they demanded early fixing of cases hearing.