On August 24, 2025, Supreme Court Justice Athar Minallah emphasised the need for an independent judiciary to address Pakistan’s ongoing missing persons crisis, speaking at a Defence of Human Rights event in Islamabad remarks highlight systemic challenges in judicial autonomy and human rights enforcement, particularly in Balochistan
Justice Minallah described missing persons cases as the “most difficult” of his career, stating, “If the state is involved, the courts cannot do anything.” He stressed that every Supreme Court judge holds responsibility for upholding fundamental rights and lamented, “Balochistan’s girls and women are crying on the streets; we should be ashamed.” His comments reflect his frustration over the judiciary’s limited power when he perceives state complicity, a concern that five Islamabad High Court (IHC) judges also echoed in a 2024 letter to the Supreme Judicial Council, alleging executive interference.
🚨بلوچستان کی خواتین سڑکوں پر ہیں،بطور جج میرا سر شرم سے جھک جاتا ہے، جسٹس اطہر من اللہ pic.twitter.com/yd5xkCBHVE
— Mehwish Qamas Khan (@MehwishQamas) August 23, 2025Pakistan’s missing persons issue, particularly in Balochistan, has drawn criticism from groups like the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, which reported 125 new cases in 2025, totalling 10,592 unresolved cases since 2011. Minallah, former IHC Chief Justice, recalled his tenure when Baloch students sought IHC help despite lacking jurisdiction, noting, “People had faith in the IHC because its judges were independent.” His 2018 ruling against enforced disappearances had a lasting impact, but systemic barriers persist.
🚨🚨 A dialogue of hope and helplessness
Sammi Deen Baloch making her submissions to Justice Athar Minallah regarding the enforced disappearances in Balochistan, illegal detention of BYC Leaders including @MahrangBaloch_ Beebow Baloch, Gulzadi Baloch, Sibghatullah Shah Ji,… pic.twitter.com/zNNZAJMFLf
— Haroon Baloch, PhD (@advertbalcha) August 23, 2025Minallah criticised the government’s reluctance to acknowledge the issue, stating, “Those in government have not spoken the truth for 77 years.” He highlighted political flip-flopping, with parties ignoring the issue in power but raising it in opposition. The National Judicial Policy Making Committee, led by Chief Justice Yahya Afridi, recently mandated judges to report interference within 24 hours, per Dawn, signalling efforts to bolster judicial autonomy.
Minallah’s remarks, trending on X with posts like “Justice Minallah speaks truth!” underscore public demand for accountability. With 70% poverty in Balochistan exacerbating the crisis, per a recent think tank report, his call for fearless judges could push reforms.
