The Balochistan High Court has summoned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Secretary of the Interior Ministry in connection with the disappearance of Wahid Qambar Baloch, who was reportedly abducted from Iran on 19 July 2024. A year after his abduction, his whereabouts remain unknown.
The constitutional petition of habeas corpus was filed by Advocates Habib Tahir and Shari Baloch, representing Wahid Qambar Baloch. During a hearing held today, the Court inquired about the status of notices served to the five respondents. Only two replies had been submitted, both from representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
One response indicated that the Ministry had contacted the Pakistani Embassy in Tehran, which reported that due to the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, the situation remained sensitive. Nevertheless, the embassy stated that efforts were underway to provide an official report as soon as possible.
The second response, also from the Foreign Ministry, claimed that the matter did not fall within its jurisdiction.
Counsel for Wahid Qambar Baloch urged Justice Aamir Rana to issue strict directions and apply pressure on the concerned departments to secure his recovery and to obtain an official statement regarding his status. Acknowledging the seriousness of the matter, Justice Rana stated that the Court would “proceed accordingly.”
However, the Court also raised a jurisdictional issue, questioning whether it could adjudicate a case involving an abduction that occurred on foreign soil. In response, the counsel argued that Wahid Qambar is a Pakistani citizen, and regardless of where the abduction took place, it is the duty of the Pakistani state and judiciary to act—particularly when fundamental constitutional rights are at stake.
Justice Rana agreed with this legal position and expressed the Court’s willingness to pursue the matter further. He subsequently directed the Secretary of the Ministry of Interior to appear before the Court and to submit a detailed report at the next hearing.
During proceedings, counsel for Wahid Qambar Baloch also alleged that the intelligence agencies of Pakistan may be responsible for his client’s disappearance, asserting that he had no personal enemies. The legal team vowed to exhaust all legal avenues to ensure his safe return.