PHC seeks replies over missing man, high-rise

Authorities asked to explain building project beyond approved floors

PESHAWAR:

The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Wednesday issued notices to police authorities and the Station House Officer (SHO) of Milward police station in Bara, seeking their response on a petition for the recovery of a missing citizen.

A single-member bench comprising Justice Ejaz Anwar heard the writ petition. Counsel for the petitioner informed the court that police had taken his client Masood Khan's brother, Zahid Khan, into custody from their home. On the night of April 10, police raided the house and arrested Zahid, taking him away with them.

The lawyer said that when senior police officials were contacted, they denied any knowledge of the matter and verbally claimed that the missing person was in the custody of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).

A petition was subsequently filed in the Islamabad High Court; however, both the FIA and the Anti-Narcotics Force also expressed ignorance about the case. The present petition was then filed against the police.

The counsel urged the court to direct the relevant police officials either to release the missing person or produce him before the court. After hearing the arguments, the court ordered the SHO of Milward police station, Bara, to appear in person along with the relevant record and adjourned the hearing until August 21.

PHC issues notices over high-rise building

Separately, the PHC on Wednesday issued notices to the provincial government and other concerned departments, seeking their reply on a contempt of court petition challenging the construction of a high-rise building by a private company in Board Bazar, Peshawar.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Ejaz Anwar and Justice Babar Sattar heard the writ petition. Advocate Sikandar Hayat Shah appeared for the petitioner and informed the court that a high-rise building named Qatar Heights was being constructed in Board Bazar. He stated that an NOC for the project had been issued illegally, as the area was residential and commercial construction was not permissible there.