Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar addresses the Asma Jahangir Conference in Lahore on Saturday. SCREEN CAPTURE
Justice Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar on Saturday announced the formation of a new committee to investigate the long-standing issue of missing persons, saying the government was treating the matter seriously and sensitively.
Speaking at the Asma Jahangir Conference in Lahore, Tarar said that when the problem reached alarming proportions, the number of missing people was almost 10,000.
He said that after a commission was formed, committees were created and Parliament played its role, the number gradually decreased and is now reported to be around 2,600. Tarar added that while the number had decreased, ideally it would be zero.
However, the Human Rights Minister pointed out that the problem was not unique to Pakistan but existed in many other countries as well.
Referring to measures taken by the previous federal government, Tarar said a relief package had been introduced as an interim measure. He clarified that the aid package did not mean that cases would be closed.
“That was to mitigate the sufferings of the families, and not only includes financial support but also provides a mechanism to resolve all related legal complications.”
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The minister said another committee was now being formed to examine the matter more closely, adding that at prime ministerial level there were serious concerns about the issue. He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif believed that every person should be treated strictly in accordance with the law and such practices could not be accepted in any form.
Explaining the reasons why people are listed as missing, Tarar said that in many cases, people who died in terrorist attacks or encounters also ended up included in the list of missing persons. Therefore, he stated, it cannot be ruled out that some people voluntarily disappeared and joined banned organizations, which also contributed to the numbers.
He said the government was working on the issue seriously and announced progress in establishing an independent commission for minorities. “There is good news from the point of view of the Ministry of Human Rights. It was a long-awaited wish and demand that there be an independent commission for minorities. Thank God, the legislation has been completed and the process has already begun.”
The Justice Minister said the matter would be brought before Parliament and independent appointments would be made to the commission, expressing the hope that credible names would be nominated.
In the same speech, Tarar defended the decision to refer some cases to military courts, saying that the law requires that people who attacked military installations be tried in that forum.
“The Anti-Terrorism Law, under which other people have been convicted or tried, provides for harsher and stricter punishments. However, the reason why some people were referred to military courts was that the law required that those who invaded and looted army defense facilities be tried in that forum,” he said.
Tarar added that even in military courts, the government’s effort was to ensure maximum protection within the guarantees provided by law, which is why the punishments did not appear to be too severe.
He also welcomed the granting of A status to the National Human Rights Commission. He said not enough work had previously been done to formalize the minimum age for child marriage, but the country was now close to enacting the law.
“Punjab is almost, almost very close to legislating on this, and then only Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa will be left, with whom we are also in talks.”
Read also: Government forms panel to help families of missing people
Talking about the blasphemy cases, he said the use of social media in such matters was a matter of concern to everyone. He said the government had taken the issue seriously, strengthened oversight and, taking into account checks and balances, formulated a policy to ensure that no one was unfairly persecuted.
Comparing the situation with previous years, Tarar said that 2025 brought some relief as the number of cases reduced by 20%.
“This time, the total number reported in Pakistan, in a population of 240 million, was only 34 cases, compared to 180 to 200 cases annually in previous years.”
Emphasizing freedom of expression, he said differences of opinion were a right in a civilized society.
He said people should offer positive criticism within reasonable limits and show the government a mirror of the truth, adding that the government will listen with an open heart and try to correct matters wherever possible.
