The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday gave the government a 10-day time to recover Sajid Gondal – a senior official of Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan – who was reportedly abducted from the federal capital last week, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Earlier on Saturday when the matter first came before the court, it had directed the government to find out his whereabouts and recover him by 2pm before Monday’s hearing. 

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah remarked that the government had failed in protecting the citizens. What would it mean if there is no rule of law in the country’s capital, he questioned.

The chief justice said the situation wasn’t a product of some sudden development as he described it a result of poor governance.

He asked the interior secretary whether he has informed the prime minister about what is happening in Islamabad. The IGP should tell if any of the persons kidnapped in the federal capital has been recovered, the chief remarked. 

As the interior secretary sought more time so that he could inform the prime minister about the issue, the court observed that such incidents won’t be tolerated in future.

The chief justice wondered whether the government would have given the same reaction if the son of any minister was abducted.

No mother should move the court in future for her missing so, he remarked and adjourned further hearing of the matter till September 17.

Earlier, Missing Persons Commission Chairman Justice (retd) Javed Iqbal – who is also the NAB chairman, took notice of the issue and sought a report from the interior secretary and the Islamabad IGP.

He also called the family for a personal hearing on Wednesday at Missing Persons Commission headquarters in Islamabad.

Meanwhile, a CCTV footage has emerged in which Gondal can be seen leaving his farmhouse on Thursday night.

On the other hand, the police have recorded the statements of 10 persons, including his wife Sajeela Gondal, as part of their prone and are investigating the matter with different angles.

According to Gondal’s wife, he had been very depressed for the last three to four days and used to go upstairs after receiving phone calls.

SECP Joint Director Gondal went missing from a spot located just 1.5 kilometres away from the Shehzad Town Police Station on the night between Thursday and Friday.

Later on Friday afternoon, a case was registered against unidentified persons by the Shehzad Town Police Station on an application filed by Gondal’s wife.

According to the FIR, Gondal had left his house around 7pm for his farmhouse located in Chak Shehzad to give some instructions to his employee but did not return.

On the next, his car was found outside the National Agriculture Research Institute located in the Shehzad Town area with the key inserted in ignition.

His wife says they do not have an enmity with anyone and it is feared that he has been kidnapped by some identified persons.

On the other hand, the police say investigation would be expanded with help of his phone record and other evidences.  

Initially, the police did not register a case after the news of Gondal’s abduction went viral. However, Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari reacted to the incident on Friday afternoon, saying the disappearance of Gondal was a matter of concern and the government had a duty to ensure his early recovery.

She said police had been directed to register an FIR. “Protection of each citizen's life is our constitutional obligation. Rule of law must prevail - all must be dealt with according to the law,” Mazari stressed.