PHC refers 10 missing persons' cases to Commission

Chief Justice of the Peshawar High Court (PHC), Justice Syed Muhammad Atiq Shah, on Monday heard 14 petitions related to missing persons from various districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. During the proceedings, the court referred 10 petitions to the Commission on Missing Persons for further investigation and appropriate action.

A two-member bench headed by the Chief Justice also disposed of two petitions, while in one case, notices were issued to the federal and provincial governments seeking detailed responses. In another case, the court ordered the blocking of the identity card of a petitioner, Samiullah, for failing to appear before the court despite repeated notices.

Additional Attorney General, Additional Advocate General, police representatives, and focal persons from the Home Department appeared before the court, along with the counsels of the petitioners. The bench directed the relevant authorities to submit comprehensive reports on the missing persons' cases to ensure progress and accountability.

The court emphasized that the issue of enforced disappearances is a serious human rights concern and instructed the Commission to expedite efforts for the recovery of all missing individuals and to keep the court informed about developments.