PHC rolls sleeves over extra-judicial killings

CJ Dost Muhammad Khan condemns govt’s inaction.

PESHAWAR:

The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has issued notices to the federal and provincial government for failing to identify elements responsible for extra-judicial killings.

The court observed that both the governments had failed to protect the lives and liberty of citizens, and questioned as to whether either government was legitimate to run state affairs in such a situation.

The court took into account reports, forwarded by the PHC’s human right cell to PHC Chief Justice Dost Muhammad Khan, of sacked bodies being recovered in the province, particularly in Nowshera and the provincial capital.  The reports also revealed that although bodies were being recovered regularly, the federal and provincial governments had failed to take any action in this regard.

A division bench comprising the chief justice and Justice Roohul Amin took up the issue during routine court business and strongly condemned the recovery of bodies in gunny bags.

Chief Justice Khan said that a total of 16 bodies have been recovered in recent days, adding that neither law enforcement agencies nor public representatives have bothered to take notice of the issue.

The court later issued orders for the K-P police chief and the Peshawar’s city police chief to appear in person before the court on September 12, the next hearing.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 17^th, 2012.