The Supreme Court Demands Report on Missing Persons in Pakistan 2025. This clear, strong title sets the tone. The court is calling for a full update on missing persons in Pakistan. The Supreme Court of Pakistan has directed the federal government to submit a detailed report on the status of missing persons across the country.
A two-member bench, headed by Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, issued the order during a hearing on a petition filed by families of the missing persons.
The court expressed concern over the rising number of enforced disappearances and the lack of progress in tracing these individuals.
The government has been given a two-week deadline to provide the report, detailing efforts made to locate the missing persons and the challenges faced. Human rights organizations have welcomed the court’s directive, hoping it will lead to concrete actions to resolve these cases.
Chief Justice Bandial emphasized that enforced disappearances are a grave violation of human rights and called for immediate measures to address this issue.
Supreme Court Demands Report on Missing Persons in Pakistan 2025
Background and Context
Since early 2025, the Supreme Court Islamabad has taken up dozens of petitions about enforced disappearances Pakistan. A six-member constitutional bench, led by Justice Aminuddin Khan, pressed the government to act under the missing persons commission report framework. The Supreme Court staged public hearings and asked tough questions about who is still missing and why progress is so slow.
Formation of a New Commission Head
In January 2025, the government informed the court that Justice (retired) Faqir Muhammad Khokhar would now lead the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances. The appointment replaced Justice (retired) Javed Iqbal. The court praised the step but noted that replacing leadership was not enough without real results.
The Detailed Reporting Order
On January 6, 2025, a three-member bench led by CJP Qazi Faez Isa ordered a written undertaking. Senior officers must guarantee people would no longer be “picked up other than in accordance with law.”
The Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances was told to deliver a comprehensive report to the court containing: name, parentage, addresses, who reported the disappearance, date and location, which government was in place, recovery status, any production orders, and follow‑up actions. This is the heart of why the Supreme Court Demands Report on Missing Persons in Pakistan 2025.
Parliamentary Action and Tribunal Debate
The court repeatedly reminded everyone: this is a job for lawmakers. As per Justice Mandokhail, the solution lies with Parliament and cannot be left to the judiciary alone. Debates emerged about forming a missing‑persons tribunal by passing new laws. A cabinet sub‑committee was set up to draft legislation. The court stressed that disappearing someone is already a crime—and laws already exist—but more action and enforcement are needed.
Backlog and Recovery Data
According to a report submitted to the Supreme Court, the Commission has handled over 10,000 cases by April 2024. It disposed of 7,868 of them, traced 27, recovered 18 individuals, and classified some as non‑enforced disappearances. Yet, 2,302 cases remained unresolved. These numbers show both progress and ongoing challenges.
High Court Interventions
It’s not just the Supreme Court acting. The Islamabad High Court summoned the IGP over missing journalist Ahmad Noorani’s brothers—urging immediate police action and daily progress updates. Similarly, the Peshawar High Court required a separate government report on three missing citizens, including two brothers from Charsadda. The court flagged only one “focal person” handling the entire country and demanded more resources.
Human Rights Concerns
Families, especially in Balochistan, remain active in protests. Cases from 2021 such as the Missing Baloch Students Case continue unresolved, with university sit‑ins and ongoing activism. The Baloch Long March in December 2023, led by women like Mahrang Baloch, highlighted human rights in Pakistan and state violence.
Recent data from the Human Rights Council of Balochistan shows a sharp rise in disappearances 144 cases in February 2025 alone, with over 100 still missing. Local media, NGOs, and victims’ families keep these issues in public view.
Court Pressure and Law Enforcement
Courts have taken strict action. They’ve issued arrest warrants for police officers who fail to investigate or present missing persons. Joint Investigation Teams (JITs) and regular court monitoring are now in place . These steps are meant to enforce court orders and show accountability in missing persons cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What led the Supreme Court to step in?
A wave of petitions, evidence of slow progress, and large first-hand testimonies pushed the top court to demand a report under the Supreme Court Demands Report on Missing Persons in Pakistan 2025.
2. What information must the report include?
Every case must have full names, parentage, addresses, who reported it, date and location, supervising government, recovery status, production orders, and follow-up. These are exactly the requirements the court laid out.
3. Who is responsible for filing the report?
The Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, Attorney‑General, Interior Ministry, and police chiefs across provinces are legally obliged to submit.
4. Have missing persons been found?
Yes—27 traced and 18 recovered—as per April 2024 data. Still, more than 2,300 cases remain unresolved.
5. Will there be new laws?
The court wants Parliament to act. New legislation or a tribunal could formalize crimes of enforced disappearance and speed up justice.
6. How do families get involved?
They continue filing FIRs, attending hearings, and joining peaceful rallies like those organized by Mahrang Baloch and BYC. NGOs and media amplify their demands.
Legal Point (In-Depth)
- Constitutional Violations
Enforced disappearance violates multiple constitutional rights—Articles 4, 9, 10, 14, 19A, 25. The court affirms no citizen can be detained without due process. - Binding Court Orders
Written submissions from government officials promise legal compliance. The court’s demand for accountability is legally enforceable. - Technological Improvements
Digital registers and centralized online databases are now required in all police stations. This boosts transparency and data management. - Parliament’s Role
While judiciary supervises, legal reform falls to lawmakers. Parliament may need to create a missing persons tribunal and pass clear laws. - Independent Monitoring
JITs, frequent court interactions, and high court involvement ensure oversight. This adds a layer of authority to enforce orders and improvements.
Final Note — Legal & Tax Services
We offer dedicated support on missing persons cases. We help file FIRs, prepare court petitions, navigate constitutional rights, and provide tax compliance if needed. Our team ensures clear, ethically sound, and comprehensive legal guidance on sensitive issues like enforced disappearances. Contact us for trusted expertise on your rights, justice, and full-service legal/tax support.
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