Black and white: Eight detainees placed in ‘black category’

Lakki Marwat oversight board submits report through K-P govt.

PESHAWAR: Eight previously missing persons have been placed in the proven militant or black category, according to reports of the Lakki Marwat internment centre submitted to the Peshawar High Court.

The K-P government presented the reports to the division bench of Chief Justice Mazhar Alam Miankhel and Justice Abdul Latif Khan during Tuesday’s hearing of 16 petitions related to enforced disappearances. Additional Advocate General Waqar Ahmad Khan produced reports of the four-member oversight board. They stated that eight detainees had been placed in the black category, while another two were declared ‘grey’ or suspected militants.

The reports indicated that Ashiquddin, son of petitioner Minhajuddin, was arrested from South Waziristan Agency in 2009. His whereabouts remained unknown for several months, prompting the family to approach the PHC. After a thorough investigation, the oversight board of the internment centre determined the detainee was involved in anti-state activities.

Abdul Jabbar, son of Yousaf Khan, was arrested on November 3, 2011 and also placed in the black category. Others identified as “proven militants” included Nasir Ali, Fazal Ghani, Asghar Hussain, Fasihullah, Ijaz Khan and Rehman. Their petitions were disposed of with the directions that families of these detainees should be allowed visitation. Also, authorities were directed to provide them with all medical facilities during confinement.

Meanwhile, those placed in the grey category included Muhammad Imran who is currently being held at Lakki Marwat Internment Centre. He was arrested on November 3, 2011.

Abdul Khaliq was arrested on June 3, 2012 and his whereabouts remained unknown for a time. Ultimately, it was discovered that authorities shifted him to the same centre on June 13, 2013 and he is being held there as a suspected militant.

Reports were also submitted on the whereabouts of Noor Muhammad, the son of Maryam Bibi. It was disclosed that he was not being held in Lakki Marwat. The court consequently ordered the Home and Tribal Affairs department to submit fresh reports and trace him before the next date of hearing.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 25^th, 2015.