PHC seeks replies on missing persons
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has issued notices to the federal and provincial governments, police, and other relevant authorities, seeking replies on various petitions regarding missing persons from different districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
A single bench headed by Chief Justice SM Atiq Shah heard the cases on Monday. During the proceedings, the court directed the Inspector General of Police to appoint a senior officer for a transparent inquiry into the alleged disappearance of a man from Mohmand district, who was reportedly handed over to police in the presence of local elders. The inquiry report is to be submitted within one month.
Additional Attorney General Sanaullah informed the court that under Supreme Court orders, cases of missing persons must first be referred to the Missing Persons Commission before the High Court hears them. The Chief Justice asked under which authority the Commission operates and how cases pending at the PHC's principal bench and other benches across K-P would be transferred to it.
During the hearing, multiple cases were taken up. In one instance, the family of a Swat resident informed the court that their relative had been missing for 16 years. The Chief Justice questioned the effectiveness of the Commission in handling such prolonged cases.
In another petition, an elderly man from Mohmand claimed that he personally handed his son over to the local Station House Officer (SHO) in front of tribal elders. The SHO denied the claim, prompting the court to order an impartial police inquiry to determine responsibility.
Other cases included petitions from families in Bannu, Nowshera, Charsadda, and Dir, who alleged that their relatives were either picked up by security agencies or disappeared shortly after being granted bail. The court summoned concerned SHOs and officials to appear in person at the next hearing.
The Chief Justice also expressed displeasure over the failure of Commissioner Bannu to appear via video link, directing him to ensure attendance at the next hearing despite citing security-related meetings.