Supreme Court’s Constitutional Bench Takes First Suo Moto Notice in Missing Children Case, Orders Report

Islamabad: The Supreme Court’s constitutional bench took its first suo moto notice in a case regarding the recovery of a missing child in Quetta, requesting a detailed report from authorities. The larger bench, headed by Justice Ameen-ud-Din Khan, heard the petition concerning missing children and directed that the Inspector Generals (IGs) and Secretaries of Interior be summoned for the next hearing.
During the proceedings, Justice Jamal Mandokhail remarked that despite a child being missing in Quetta for six days, authorities had failed to locate him. He highlighted that protests had shut down the entire city, yet the government appeared indifferent, with even school children taking to the streets in protest.
Justice Musarrat Hilali raised concerns over a report from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) claiming no instances of sex trafficking, questioning how such a claim could be true given the circumstances. Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar asked whether any provincial body or commission was working on cases of missing children, emphasizing that after the 18th Amendment, provinces had the authority to address these issues.
Justice Mandokhail further pointed out the government’s lack of concern, despite a whole province being disrupted over a single child’s abduction. Justice Ameen-ud-Din Khan expressed disappointment that the provincial government in Balochistan was unable to locate one missing child.
The court also criticized the lack of preparedness from government lawyers on this important issue. Justice Mandokhail noted that the case had been ongoing since 2018, with child abductions continuing unabated. He mentioned that the Supreme Court had set up a committee to address child abductions, but it had yet to make any tangible progress.
In response, the petitioner’s counsel stated that the Supreme Court’s committee had not yet been formed. An additional advocate from Balochistan assured the court that a report on child abductions would be submitted.
Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar clarified that the court was not interested in mere reports but demanded real action to prevent such incidents. Justice Mandokhail also urged the bench to call all provincial police chiefs for a thorough discussion on the matter.
Justice Musarrat Hilali criticized the reports from KP, calling them misleading and highlighting the fact that borders were open and law enforcement had failed to take effective action. The court stressed the need for the implementation of law and order across the country.
Justice Ameen-ud-Din Khan instructed authorities to provide a detailed report on the number of children abducted and recovered. Justice Mandokhail questioned the role of the Frontier Corps (FC) in social welfare, given the large budget allocated to them. Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi pointed out the disturbing sight of children begging at traffic signals in Karachi.
Justice Ameen-ud-Din Khan concluded the proceedings by emphasizing the international embarrassment of sending beggars abroad, calling it a matter of national shame.
The court adjourned the case until November 28 for further proceedings.