LHC rejects Foreign Ministry report on detained PTI workers in UAE
Justice Tariq Mahmood Bajwa declared the report unsatisfactory and ordered the responsible government official to appear in person at the next hearing. The court is examining two petitions alleging that the Foreign Ministry failed to follow its earlier directions.
Court seeks answers from Foreign Ministry
On September 14, the LHC directed the Foreign Secretary to examine and decide within 15 days on applications concerning the detention of Syed Salman Raza Zaidi and Muhammad Junaid Jahangir. However, the petitioners later approached the court, claiming that the order had not been implemented.
On October 22, the court issued notices to the Foreign Secretary while hearing two contempt petitions over the alleged failure to comply with its previous order. The latest hearing focused on the ministry’s response to these allegations.
Ministry says UAE response is still awaited
In its written reply submitted through the Attorney General’s office, the Foreign Ministry said it had immediately contacted Pakistan’s diplomatic mission after receiving the court’s directions. The mission was instructed to approach the relevant UAE authorities and provide an update to the ministry “expeditiously”.
The reply was signed by Additional Secretary (Middle East) Zahid Hussain. The ministry explained that it had not yet received a response from the UAE authorities.
The Foreign Ministry further said that it would examine the matter after receiving the required information. This would help the Foreign Secretary make a decision based on the available facts and the court’s instructions.
Petitioners question diplomatic efforts
Barrister Abuzar Salman Niazi, representing the petitioners, argued that the ministry had failed to answer important questions about the detention of the two Pakistani citizens. He also questioned what practical steps Pakistan’s diplomatic mission had taken to provide consular and diplomatic assistance.
The lawyer said the ministry’s response did not explain whether Pakistani officials had made any serious efforts to contact the detained citizens. He maintained that the basic questions about their detention and access to legal assistance remained unanswered.
At earlier hearings, the petitioners’ lawyer had also claimed that both individuals were being denied consular, diplomatic and legal access. He told the court that the citizens had not been formally informed about any decision on their applications despite the passage of considerable time.
Zaidi’s disappearance raises further questions
According to the first petition, Syed Salman Raza Zaidi went missing from his home in Sharjah on September 27, 2024. The petition states that he was later taken into custody by UAE authorities.
The petitioners want Pakistani authorities to take effective steps to protect the rights of both citizens and ensure that they receive the necessary assistance. The LHC has now called the relevant Foreign Ministry official to explain the government’s actions at the next hearing.
The court’s dissatisfaction shows that it wants clear answers rather than general statements from the Foreign Ministry. Simply waiting for a response from UAE authorities may not be enough without explaining what Pakistan has done to help its citizens.
The next hearing will be important because the summoned official will have to explain the diplomatic efforts made so far. The case also highlights the importance of consular support and legal assistance for Pakistanis detained in other countries.
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