Missing person: PHC seeks explanation for man’s disappearance

Israr Ahmed’s whereabouts unknown after he was released from jail over lack of evidence.

PESHAWAR: A division bench of Peshawar High Court sought a detailed reply from the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa home secretary on the disappearance of a man who went missing immediately after his release from jail.

The bench of justices Nisar Hussain and Roohul Amin Chamkani was hearing a writ petition filed by Swabi resident Professor Hafiz Sayahuwesh through his counsel Mukhtiar Manerai.

Manerai argued the petitioner’s son, Israr Ahmad, was a well-educated individual with an MPhil degree in Physics. He was reportedly picked by the Counter-Terrorism Department Peshawar on charges of carrying a hand grenade and an illegal weapon.

The lawyer stated an anti-terrorism court released him over lack of evidence, but when the father went to take his son home, he was told the CTD Mardan had arrested him. Manerai argued Ahmad was again released as CTD Mardan could not prove the charges against him. This time, when the petitioner went to jail to pick his son, he was told Ahmad had been set free after some hours. However, Ahmad’s whereabouts remain unknown to this day even though the ATC issued a summons to ensure his recovery.

The Central Prison Peshawar superintendent also appeared before the court and produced a record showing the man’s release. The court, after hearing the arguments, ordered the home secretary to furnish a detailed report by March 15.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 8^th, 2016.