Despite the stay order of Lahore High Court (LHC), a UNHCR-protected Turkish family reportedly extradited back to Turkey from Pakistan. A Turkish couple associated with the Pak-Turk International Schools & Colleges system in Pakistan has been deported to Turkey. Mesut Kacmaz, his wife and two daughters, Huda Nur and Fatima Huma were picked up from their residence in Lahore, allegedly by a law enforcement agency.
As it was being planned to deport them, one of their family friend approached LHC. Court ordered government not to deport them and also put their names of exit control list. But before the scheduled hearing that was Oct 16, Monday, Turkish couple was handed over to a Turkish police team which came to Islamabad by a special plane and ultimately deported on Oct 14.
This act is not only falls in the category of contempt of court but also violates many international treaties and laws. Because family was living in Pakistan under the asylum seeker certificate which was issued by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and was valid till Nov 24, 2017.
Although there has been no official confirmation from the Pakistani government yet, but officials must come forward to identify the responsible. It is further alarming that government is not willing to learn from its past mistakes and still continues to violate national and international law’s just to please friendly foreign regimes. Turkey is a friendly country, Pakistan should further enhance bilateral relations but not on the expense of violating international laws. In the attempt to please Turkish President, Pakistan has gone a little too far once again. Pakistani government, aware of the laws at play and the threat to the lives of these people, easily handed them over.
Turkish couple must not have been deported since matter was in the court. This development seems more disappointing when we know it happened in a democratic form of government. We have pledged to protect the right of individuals, but ironically our policies and actions don’t reflect the same. Concerned authorities must explain it before the court that why a step was taken in defiance of the court. An explanation must be demanded by the judiciary in order to identify the responsible.