Families of forcibly disappeared Baloch activists are receiving nothing but promises of justice from the courts instead of actual justice, said rights groups.
In a recent tweet, Advocate Imaan Mazari revealed details regarding Rashid Hussain’s case, stating that his case has been pending with the Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court since 2022, despite repeated directives from the court to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, no action has been taken on these directives.
According to Advocate Mazari, the court often schedules hearings for Rashid Hussain’s case just to later cancel them, seemingly to prolong the proceedings.
Despite efforts by human rights activists and lawyer Imaani Mazar to pursue Hussain’s case, who advocates for victims of enforced disappearances, the Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court has provided yet another lengthy adjournment. Consequently, Rashid Hussain’s mother will continue to wait for answers regarding her son’s disappearance, adding to the anguish of his family.
Advocate Mazari further stated that despite numerous requests for a hearing and subsequent adjournments, Rashid Hussain’s case is now scheduled for April 24.
According to the relatives of Rashid Hussain, he was abducted by Pakistani authorities through a backchannel diplomacy in 2018 from the United Arab Emirates and has not been seen since. The family has been left in the dark regarding his whereabouts or his custodian ever since.
The continuous delays in Rashid Hussain’s case highlight the agony of families seeking justice for their disappeared loved ones, as they face uncertainty and prolonged legal battles.