The Cabinet Committee on Enforced Disappearances in Islamabad has taken a significant step in addressing the issue of fake missing persons cases. Chaired by Minister for Law and Justice Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar, the committee directed the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances to submit a detailed report with verifiable facts and figures regarding the missing persons.
Discrepancies Uncovered
During the committee session, it was revealed that there are discrepancies between the data presented by the Commission and the figures reported by human rights organizations and civil society. Shockingly, many cases reviewed by the Commission were found to be bogus, with some individuals being proclaimed offenders who had actually fled the country to avoid legal proceedings.
Financial Support for Families
In response to these findings, the Cabinet has directed the provision of a financial support package of up to Rs5 million for families of individuals missing for over five years. However, this support is subject to verification of legal heirs by NADRA to prevent any misuse of funds.
Call for Action
The Committee emphasized the urgent need for the Commission to submit a comprehensive report with verifiable facts and figures regarding missing persons. Additionally, they stressed the importance of the incoming chairperson launching a public awareness campaign for the complaint mechanism and expediting the processing of financial support packages for affected families.
Committee Members
The Committee, which is constituted by the federal cabinet, includes the ministers for law and defence, the attorney general, and the secretaries of interior and law divisions. Their collective efforts aim to bring transparency and accountability to the process of addressing missing persons cases in the country.
