Government Transfers Rs5 Million Compensation to Wife of Missing Citizen; IHC Expresses Anger Over Non-Implementation of 2018 Order

Islamabad: The government has transferred Rs5 million in compensation to the bank account of the wife of a missing citizen, Umar Abdullah.

According to *Express News*, the development was revealed during the Islamabad High Court (IHC) hearing of a petition filed by Zainab Zaeem, the wife of the missing man. Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani presided over the hearing.

Advocate Khalid Abbasi, father of Umar Abdullah, informed the court about the transfer of funds. Representatives from the Ministry of Defence also appeared before the court and provided an *in-camera* briefing.

During the proceedings, the Additional Attorney General submitted a report related to the missing citizen and requested the court to review it before the *in-camera* session.

The petitioner’s counsel reminded the court that in 2018, the IHC had imposed fines on the then Inspector General, Secretary Interior, Secretary Defence, SSP, and the investigating officer for failing to recover the missing person. However, those directives have still not been implemented. The lawyer further recalled that in 2017, the investigating officer had admitted before the court that Umar Abdullah was a victim of enforced disappearance.

Expressing strong displeasure, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani questioned what action had been taken against the officials involved, noting that the former IG might have retired by now. The judge asked whether any steps had been taken against the SSP and investigating officers and remarked that despite the court’s earlier directive to deduct their salaries, they likely continue to receive full pay and pensions.

Justice Kayani expressed serious dissatisfaction over the authorities’ inaction and said that this observation would be included in the court’s written order. The hearing was later adjourned.