The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the Pakistani government to establish a commission within 30 days to investigate the misuse of the country’s blasphemy laws. The court issued this order on Tuesday during the hearing of a case demanding such an inquiry.

Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan mandated that the commission complete its investigation within four months, with the possibility of seeking a court extension if necessary. The judge emphasized that the court’s primary concern was determining the validity of establishing the commission, ultimately deeming the arguments presented sufficient to warrant its creation.

The court’s decision follows concerns raised about the disappearance of Komal Ismail, a key figure allegedly involved in framing individuals on blasphemy charges. The IHC previously ordered the blocking of her national identity card (CNIC) due to her non-appearance in court.

While authorities confirmed that four SIM cards registered under her name are inactive since November, and she remains on the Exit Control List (ECL), her whereabouts remain unknown, raising concerns for her safety. The judge questioned the effectiveness of the investigation, noting the lack of thoroughness in retrieving and analyzing evidence.

The court also scrutinized the investigation’s conduct in a related case, questioning the sufficiency of evidence gathered against an accused, Naik Muhammad, who claimed to have been framed. The court highlighted discrepancies, including the complainant’s contact with the accused shortly before filing the complaint.