Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has received his third summons from the Islamabad High Court (IHC) regarding the missing Baloch students, with the court scheduling the next session for February 28.
Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani emphasized the importance of the Prime Minister’s court appearance, dismissing any notion of insult from such proceedings and stressing the principle that no individual stands above the law.
The judge expressed dissatisfaction with PM Kakar’s repeated absences, signalling a clear expectation for the Prime Minister to prioritize court attendance over other engagements, such as trips to Karachi. This stance was reiterated during discussions with Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan and inquiries into the presence of other government officials, including the Defence and Interior Secretaries, with Interior Secretary Aftab Durrani later appearing.
The summons followed Justice Kayani’s written directive, compelling PM Kakar, alongside the Defence and Interior Ministers and their secretaries, to attend the hearing at 10 am. This directive aligns with the court’s earlier expectation set on February 13 for the interim premier’s appearance.
Despite attempts by the Assistant Attorney General to seek adjournment due to the Attorney General’s unavailability, the court maintained its schedule. Justice Kayani also highlighted the severe penalties for those implicated in enforced disappearances, suggesting the death penalty as a possible consequence and calling for PM Kakar to justify why charges should not be brought against him.
Despite the court’s insistence, the government sought additional time to address the case, a request that Justice Kayani declined. This incident marks the second court summons for PM Kakar, who failed to appear on November 22, 2023, due to being abroad, in a case initiated by Advocate Imaan Mazari.
