Supreme Court’s Constitutional Bench Takes First Suo Motu Notice on Missing Children Case, Orders Report Submission

Islamabad:The Supreme Court’s constitutional bench, led by Justice Aminuddin Khan, took its first suo motu notice on the case of a missing child in Quetta, ordering authorities to submit a detailed report. The larger six-member bench heard the case regarding the disappearance of children and directed that all provincial IGPs (Inspector Generals of Police) and Interior Secretaries be summoned for the next hearing.
Justice Jamal Mandokhail remarked that a child has been missing in Quetta for six days, and despite widespread protests that have paralyzed the city, the government remains indifferent. He noted that even schoolchildren in Quetta had taken to the streets in protest.
Justice Masarat Hilali raised concerns about reports from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) that claimed no cases of sex trafficking, asking how such a claim could be accurate when trafficking issues are rampant in the region.
Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar inquired whether any province has an institution or commission specifically dedicated to addressing the issue of missing children, questioning the role of provincial authorities after the 18th amendment, which devolved powers to the provinces.
Justice Mandokhail criticized the lack of government action, stating that while an entire province is paralyzed over a single abduction, the government shows no concern. Justice Aminuddin Khan pointed out that the Balochistan government is unable to recover a single missing child.
The bench also expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of preparation by government lawyers on this critical issue. Justice Mandokhail highlighted that despite ongoing cases since 2018, child abductions continue unabated, and the Supreme Court’s established committee on the issue has yet to take action.
The petitioners informed the court that the committee had never been formed. An additional advocate from Balochistan assured the court that a report on child abductions would be submitted.
Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar emphasized that the court was not seeking reports but actionable steps to prevent child abductions. Justice Mandokhail expressed frustration over the lack of progress and called for the summoning of all provincial IGPs to determine what was happening in the country.
Justice Masarat Hilali criticized the report from KP, stating that it seemed to be covering up the real situation. She also questioned the openness of the borders and whether such reports were genuinely reflective of the ground reality.
Justice Aminuddin Khan instructed the authorities to provide a detailed report on the number of children abducted and how many had been recovered.
The bench also discussed the role of the Frontier Corps (FC), which spends billions, and questioned what role it plays in social welfare. Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi pointed out the alarming sight of children begging at traffic signals in Karachi.
Justice Aminuddin Khan, the head of the constitutional bench, added that the country has become internationally known for sending beggars abroad, calling it a matter of national shame.
The Supreme Court adjourned the case hearing until November 28.