Quetta: The Balochistan High Court has summoned the Secretaries of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Interior in connection with a constitutional petition regarding the recovery of Ustad Wahid Qambar Baloch.
The court issued the order during a hearing in which it was informed that Wahid Qambar Baloch had been abducted from Iran on July 19, 2024, and remains missing over a year later.
Petitioners’ counsels, Advocate Habib Tahir and Advocate Shaari Baloch, urged the court to take immediate steps for the safe recovery of their client.
During the hearing presided over by Justice Amir Rana, the court was informed that out of five respondents, only two had submitted their replies.
In its response, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it had contacted the Pakistani Embassy in Tehran, which cited the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict as a reason for the sensitive situation, though it assured efforts were underway to provide a comprehensive report.
Another department within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed the matter did not fall under its jurisdiction.
Wahid Qambar Baloch’s legal team requested the court to exert pressure on the relevant authorities to ensure his recovery.
Justice Amir Rana agreed with the plea and stated that the court would take appropriate action. However, he also pointed out the jurisdictional challenge, noting that the abduction occurred outside Pakistan.
In response, the petitioner’s lawyer argued that Wahid Qambar Baloch is a Pakistani citizen, and it is the state’s responsibility to protect his constitutional rights, regardless of where the abduction took place.
Accepting the argument, the court ordered the Secretary of Interior to appear in person at the next hearing.
The counsel further told the court that Wahid Qambar Baloch has no personal enmity with anyone, except possibly with state intelligence agencies, whom they suspect to be behind his disappearance.
The court has scheduled the next hearing and directed the Ministry of Interior to submit a detailed report on this serious human rights issue.
