Court returns to missing migrants plea
An IHC hearing today before Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir takes up Afzaal Hussain Shah’s case, filed through Advocate Shafqat Abbas Tarar, asking officials to locate about 50 Pakistanis who dropped out of contact after irregular journeys for work. The federal side was already put on notice and told to answer the request.
At the prior sitting the bench told the Assistant Attorney General to place a written update on the record, then fixed 2 November for continuation. Counsel wants ministries and missions to confirm where the men are, offer consular help—embassy support for citizens abroad—and move them home safely if that can be arranged.
What families say happened
According to submissions last time, well over fifty young adults from Mandi Bahauddin, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Hafizabad and nearby districts left in successive craft sailing from Mauritania with Spain as the aim, across a window running from April 2024 into January 2025. None is known to have arrived as planned, and relatives still lack solid word on location or immigration status in any state.
Shah has already written to the prime minister, the foreign minister and the interior minister seeking intervention. In court his lawyer pressed for Foreign Affairs—Pakistan’s diplomacy wing—to open checks with host authorities and with Pakistani missions, and for travel and entry papers to be reviewed so it is clear who is stranded, removed, or held under other conditions.
What the petition demands next
Beyond locating and verifying each person, the filing seeks protection for anyone still exposed overseas and regular, dated updates so households are not left guessing. Counsel also asked that efforts cover whether anyone sits in an unknown place, has already been sent back, or faces detention of another kind.
Monday’s session is the point at which the Assistant Attorney General’s promised note and the government’s reply are expected to shape what orders follow.
Timeline: what has happened so far
- April 2024–January 2025: Groups from Punjab districts attempt boat crossings from Mauritania toward Spain, counsel told the court.
- Earlier hearings: Notices go to the federal government on Shah’s petition.
- Last hearing: Assistant Attorney General ordered to file a report; matter adjourned to 2 November.
- 2 November 2026: Bench reconvenes on tracing, consular aid and return.
Aasan alfaaz mein
Islamabad High Court aaj un logon ka case dekh rahi hai jo mulk ke bahar gum ho gaye. Pachas se zyada jawanon ke ghar wale kehte hain ke wo Spain ke liye kashti se gaye, lekin baad ka pata nahi. Court sarkar se report aur madad mangti hai. Ghar walon ko umeed hai ke un ke log mil jayein aur wapas aa jayein.
