Pak judiciary ‘no-match’ for ISI, Army as SC investigates mysterious disappearance case

WASHINGTON - The Pakistan Supreme Court’s crucial inquiry into the mysterious disappearance of hundreds of people post 9/11 is likely to test the judiciary’s capability against the all powerful Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), which was widely referred to as a ’state within a state’.

The apex court is investigating the ‘extrajudicial’ detention of more than 1,000 civilians after September 11, 2001 terror attack on America. Some of the persons who were arrested during President General Pervez Musharraf’s rule are still missing.

t is believed that in the years since the 2001 attacks, several hundred people suspected of links to militant groups have been held in secret detention centres and some were transferred to the United States for cash.

Relatives of those ‘abducted’ by the intelligence agencies are still hopeful that their dear ones would return some day.

One such woman, Amina Janjua, whose husband ‘disappeared’ mysteriously after 9/11 has high hopes from the judiciary, which she believes would help her to reunite with her husband.

“We’re confident now. The courts are on the right track and they’re making progress,” The Christian Science Monitor quoted Janjua, as saying.

“This (case) is important in the sense that this would result in accountability of the intelligence agencies because intelligence agencies would be scrutinized,” said Hassan Askari-Rizwi, a political analyst based in Lahore.

“The missing person’s case has the potential to challenge Pakistan’s security establishment, and by extension the Army, in the same way the amnesty case challenged the civilian politicians. This is happening for the first time. I don’t know if they will be able to succeed,” Rizvi added.

However, it is unlikely that the ISI would reveal the truth behind the illegal detentions, and experts believe that the judiciary is no match for the ISI.

“Answers provided by the ISI are likely to be unreliable. The ISI is unlikely to fully cooperate with the court, which could derail the investigation of the disappearances,” said Justice Iqbal, who heads the three-member bench overseeing the case.

“They don’t have the resolve or power to bring the military establishment to account,” said Badar Alam, a noted Pakistani journalist. (ANI)