Daily Times

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday was informed by the Rangers that Ghulam Qadir Marri, a close aide of Former President Asif Ali Zardari, his friends and servants were not arrested by the paramilitary force.

A two-judge bench, headed by Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui, was hearing the petition filed by Ismail Marri. He is the missing man’s brother. Marri along with his friend, Khan Muhammad Mangi and two servants- Mehboob Ali Khashkheli and Javed Rehman have been missing since April 07.

The Rangers informed the judges that Marri and his associates were neither arrested by the force, nor were they in its custody.

The newly appointed investigating officer told the court that he has just been assigned to probe and recover the missing men. The Rangers council informed that Marri was close aide of former president, yet there was no progress in the case.

Later, the court put off hearing and directed the authorities concerned to make all efforts to recover the missing persons.

Marri along with his friend and two servants went missing in mysterious manner on April 07 near Jamshoro when he was returning home from Naudero after attending the death anniversary of Zulifqar Ali Bhutto. His vehicle was found abandoned near a thermal power station in Jamshoro.

Earlier, the petitioner submitted that his brother and others were picked up but had not been produced in any court of law neither had the family been provided details of any cases against them.

His lawyer Advocate Shahab Sarki had submitted that Marri, a PPP staunch supporter, was kidnapped on April 07 near Jamshoro and has been missing. “Marri’s friend and two servants were also untraceable since the day of their arrest,” he added.

The brother of missing person requested the court to direct the respondent authorities to recover Marri and others and produce them before court. The court was further requested to restrain them from taking any adverse action against the close aide of former president.