PHC acts on missing persons cases

Two petitions disposed of; other cases referred to commission

PESHAWAR:

The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Friday disposed of two petitions regarding the recovery of missing persons after the individuals returned home, while two cases were referred to the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances. The court also issued notices to the federal and provincial governments in two additional petitions, seeking detailed replies.

A single bench headed by Chief Justice Justice SM Atiq Shah conducted the hearing, during which the Additional Advocate General, Deputy Attorney General, and focal persons from the Home Department and police appeared before the court.

During proceedings on a petition filed by a woman seeking the recovery of her children, the Additional Advocate General informed the court that the children had been taken to Karachi by their father. He said the local SHO had traced the father to Karachi, but he fled with the children and switched off his phone. The Chief Justice directed that the matter be raised with the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) and the CCPO, and discussed with the Advocate General Sindh, with a detailed report to be submitted.

In another case concerning a missing lawyer, the petitioner's counsel told the court that Advocate Umar Jadoon, who practices in Abbottabad and Peshawar, had been picked up outside the PHC. When asked why he was detained, the counsel stated that the lawyer had voiced support for Gaza on social media, after which he allegedly disappeared. The court issued notices to both federal and provincial authorities, directing them to submit replies, and referred the case to the Missing Persons Commission.

The bench disposed of two petitions after the missing individuals returned home.