PHC seeks replies on petitions related to missing persons

The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Monday issued notices and sought replies from the provincial government and the inspector general of police (IGP) on petitions seeking the recovery of missing persons.

Hearing the cases, PHC Chief Justice SM Atiq Shah made strong remarks, stating that strict action would be taken against every negligent police official without regard to rank.

He questioned why fingers were being pointed at the police and asked why cases should not be registered against the concerned officers.

“Why are people being picked up illegally? Without any crime, weak and voiceless citizens are taken away,” the chief justice observed, adding that state facilities exist because even the poorest citizens pay taxes, ‘even on a matchbox’.

During the hearing, lawyers for the missing persons, the additional advocate general, deputy attorney general, police focal persons and others appeared before the court.

On a petition regarding the disappearance of an individual from the Town Police Station limits, the petitioner’s counsel alleged that police had taken his client into custody and his whereabouts remained unknown. The court issued a notice to the station house officer (SHO).

The bench also referred one petition to the Commission on Enforced Disappearances and ordered the provincial police chief to conduct an inquiry in a case related to Khazana Police Station.

Emphasising protection for innocent and helpless citizens, the court reiterated that accountability would be enforced strictly in light of existing larger bench verdicts, and sought formal responses from the provincial government and the police chief in all cases related to the missing persons.

Last month, the PHC 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.

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 Lahore police chief, and discussed with the Sindh advocate general, with a detailed report to be submitted.

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