IHC seeks report on 50 missing Pakistanis

ISLAMABAD  –  The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday issued notices to the federal government in a case seeking the tracing and safe return of around 50 Pakistani citizens from Phalia and adjoining areas who allegedly went missing after travelling abroad through irregular routes in search of employment. A single bench comprising Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir heard a petition filed by citizen Afzaal Hussain Shah through Advocate Shafqat Abbas Tarar. The court directed the Assistant Attorney General to submit a report on the matter before the next hearing and adjourned proceedings until November 2. During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel submitted that more than 50 youths from Mandi Bahauddin, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Hafizabad and adjoining areas had travelled on different boats from Mauritania in Africa towards Spain but failed to reach their destination.

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According to the counsel, the youths undertook the journeys between April 2024 and January 2025. Their families had since received no reliable information about their whereabouts or immigration status in any country. The court was informed that the petitioner had already submitted written applications to the prime minister, foreign minister and interior minister seeking government intervention in the matter. The counsel requested the court to direct the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to conduct consular inquiries into the whereabouts of the missing Pakistanis and trace them through relevant Pakistani embassies and consulates.  He further sought directions for examining immigration, travel and other available records to determine the whereabouts of the missing citizens and taking appropriate measures for their safe repatriation.

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The counsel also requested that authorities ascertain whether the missing Pakistanis were stranded at any location, deported or being detained under any other status abroad.

During the proceedings, the court summoned the Assistant Attorney General to the rostrum and directed him to look into the matter and submit a report at the next hearing.

The IHC subsequently issued notices to the federal government and adjourned the case until November 2.

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