The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday issued notices to the federal government seeking a response to a petition filed by families of more than 50 individuals who went abroad through irregular means in search of employment and have since gone missing.
IHC seeks response regarding whereabouts of over 50 Pakistanis after irregular travel to Spain
ISLAMABAD, Oct 06 (APP): The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday issued notices to the federal government seeking a response to a petition filed by families of more than 50 individuals who went abroad through irregular means in search of employment and have since gone missing.
The court directed the Assistant Attorney General to submit a report before the next hearing and adjourned the case until November 2.
Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir heard the petition filed by citizen Afzal Hussain Shah. Advocate Shafqat Abbas Tarar appeared before the court on behalf of the petitioner.
The counsel submitted that more than 50 youths belonging to Mandi Bahauddin, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Hafizabad and other areas had travelled on different boats from Mauritania in Africa towards Spain.
He said the youths had undertaken the journey between April 2024 and January 2025 but failed to reach their destination. Their families had not received any reliable information regarding their whereabouts or immigration status in any country, he added.
The court was informed that the petitioner had already submitted written applications to the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Interior Minister regarding the matter.
The counsel requested the court to direct the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to conduct consular inquiries regarding the missing Pakistani citizens in different countries and to trace them through the relevant Pakistani embassies and consulates.
He further sought directions for checking immigration, travel and other available records concerning the missing Pakistanis and taking appropriate measures for their safe repatriation.
The counsel also requested that efforts be made to ascertain whether the missing citizens were stranded at any location, deported or being held in any other status abroad.
During the hearing, 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 court issued notices to the federal government and adjourned the hearing until November 2.
