PHC puts police on notice over missing Imam

Family alleges abduction of Hazrat Umar after release from jail

PESHAWAR:

The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has issued a notice to the police after relevant agencies submitted their responses to a petition seeking the recovery of Hazrat Umar, a mosque imam, who vanished without a trace from outside Mardan Jail.

Acting Chief Justice SM Attique Shah, presiding over a single-member bench, heard the case.

At the outset of the hearing, the missing Imam's father, the petitioner's counsel, and the Additional Advocate General appeared before the court. The father informed the bench that his son had been abducted immediately after his release from Mardan Jail.

Despite approaching the concerned police officials in Charsadda, no action had been taken, he said.

In response, the chief justice directed the concerned Station House Officer (SHO) and Investigating Officer (IO) to appear before the court. The Additional Advocate General informed the bench that cases had previously been registered against Hazrat Umar.

However, the father clarified that his son had already been acquitted of all charges and was abducted only after his release.

The chief justice inquired about the missing man's occupation and the petitioner's family. The father explained that his son was a religious scholar and Imam of a mosque, and that he (the petitioner) had six sons and five daughters.

Upon hearing this, the chief justice remarked, "Why haven't your other children been abducted?" The father revealed that another of his son, a 17-year-old student, had also been abducted from a madrassa in Sardheri.

When asked whether a petition had been filed regarding the second son, the petitioner confirmed that it had, but no information had been provided yet.

He also shared that the missing sons had young children who repeatedly asked about their fathers' return.

The chief justice noted that reports from federal and provincial agencies had been received, all denying custody of the missing individuals.