ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has issued a notice to the federal government and sought a report from the Assistant Attorney General (AAG) on a petition seeking trace and safe return of more than 50 Pakistanis who have gone missing abroad over the past three years.

Justice Arbab Mohammad Tahir, while hearing the petition filed by Afzal Hussain, directed the AAG to examine the matter and submit a report at the next hearing on Nov 2.

The petitioner, a resident of Phalia tehsil in Mandi Bahauddin district, approached the court through his counsel, Shafqat Abbas Tarar, seeking the recovery of more than 50 young men from the area who reportedly travelled abroad through unconventional means but had not been traced since their departure.

During the hearing, the counsel submitted that over the past three years, more than 50 young men from the area had gone abroad, but their whereabouts remained unknown.

He requested the court to direct the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to initiate consular inquiries in the countries concerned and instruct Pakistani embassies and consulates to take steps to trace the missing citizens.

The counsel also sought directions for the examination of available immigration, travel and other relevant records to establish the circumstances in which the citizens had travelled abroad and determine their whereabouts.

He further requested that the relevant authorities be directed to initiate legal proceedings if any criminal activity was established and take appropriate measures to ensure the safe return of the missing Pakistanis. During the proceedings, the court summoned the AAG to the rostrum and asked him to examine the matter and submit a report by the next hearing.

Subsequently, the court issued a notice to the federal government and adjourned further proceedings until Nov 2.

Published in Dawn, October 7th, 2026