ISLAMAABD: The Supreme Court was on Wednesday informed that the federation had promulgated the Protection of Pakistan Ordinance (PPO) (amended) 2014 to curb terrorism and crimes falling in the scheduled offence, and to deal with missing persons cases.

Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Suleman Aslam Butt informed the three-member bench of Justice Jawad S Khawaja, Justice Iqbal Hamid ur Rahman and Justice Masheer Alam that the President on Wednesday signed the ordinance, which would be published in the official gazette.

The ordinance is designed to fight terrorism and lawlessness in Karachi and other restive parts of the country, and the missing persons issues, the court was told.

The court, which resumed the hearing of 35 missing persons' case, observed that first of all it would examine the ordinance that what kind of legal cover had been provided at this stage of the case and also directed the AGP to do the same.

Advocate General for Khyber Paktunkhwa (KP) Latif Yousifzai, submitted his reply in the complance with apex court's order of December, 10, 2013, which was rejected by the court.

Justice Jawad took exception to the failure of provincial government to produce missing persons before the court, warning that the court could summon the KP chief minister if the missing persons were not recovered.

He said the court was serious on the matter of missing persons. It was a separate issue that whether the missing persons were terrorists or not, but the court was trying to ensure that they should not be deprived of the rights given under the Constitution, including that of a fair trial, Justice Jawad maintained.

He observed that the KP government was non-serious about the missing persons. Earlier, the federation had shown a lethargic attitude, which, had now legislated in this regard.

Justice Jawwad asked why did the KP government deny fundamental rights to the missing persons. Were they not the citizens of Pakistan?

Seeking a comprehensive reply from the KPK government, the court adjourned the case till January 27.

(APP)