In custody: PHC asks authorities to help interned persons meet relatives
Says strategy should be devised whereby no information is divulged.
“True, security of the state is supreme, but the right of visiting [detained persons] has been clearly mentioned in the law,” says Justice Khan. DESIGN: SIDRAH MOIZ KHAN/FILE
PESHAWAR:
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has directed officials to hold a meeting with interning authorities in order to devise a strategy for helping detained persons see their relatives.
A division bench headed by PHC Chief Justice Dost Muhammad Khan and comprising Justice Irshad Qaiser was hearing a petition filed by Safdar Ali to PHC’s Human Rights Directorate. Safdar is the brother of Shaukat Ali, who is currently detained at Malakand Fort internment centre.
Shaukat, 22, was taken from his house during a search operation in Mata area of Katlang district, Mardan in 2010. He was later declared a ‘black’ category militant and shifted to the internment centre.
Safdar told the court he went to see his brother, but was denied access by concerned authorities. He also approached the commissioner of Malakand regarding the matter, but it is still pending.
Malakand Commissioner Fakhar-e-Alam said he had contacted authorities, but was yet to receive approval. Upon this, the bench reminded him of Rule 7 of the Action in Aid of Civil Power Regulation 2011, which allows blood relatives to visit interned persons.
“True, security of the state is supreme, but the right of visiting [detained persons] has been clearly mentioned in the law,” said Justice Khan, stressing on the need to adopt a procedure whereby relatives are allowed to visit the persons, but no classified information is divulged.
“Internment centre authorities should depute officials to monitor all visits,” said Justice Khan, adding that visitors should be thoroughly checked before they are allowed to meet their relatives.
The bench then ordered that a proper plan be submitted by the home and tribal affairs secretary, additional chief secretary of Fata and authorities of internment centres within 20 days.
The case has been adjourned till February 12.
Meanwhile, in a separate case on the smuggling of meat and poultry products to Afghanistan, PHC vacated stay orders against the export of these products after being assured that prices will remain within the range of customers.
The stay orders were withdrawn by the same division bench after the court was given indemnity bonds that price of poultry products including breeder chicken will not exceed Rs156 per kilogramme (kg), broiler chicken will not cost more than Rs185 per kg and beef will not be more expensive than Rs270 per kg.
The indemnity bonds were submitted by K-P Poultry Association and meat exporters. A penalty of Rs20 million and Rs10 million will be imposed on poultry and meat exporters, respectively, if prices go beyond the fixed rates, save a 10% profit margin on specific occasions. The court was also assured that prices will be reduced voluntarily in Ramazan.
The case was adjourned till March 5.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 24th, 2013.
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has directed officials to hold a meeting with interning authorities in order to devise a strategy for helping detained persons see their relatives.
A division bench headed by PHC Chief Justice Dost Muhammad Khan and comprising Justice Irshad Qaiser was hearing a petition filed by Safdar Ali to PHC’s Human Rights Directorate. Safdar is the brother of Shaukat Ali, who is currently detained at Malakand Fort internment centre.
Shaukat, 22, was taken from his house during a search operation in Mata area of Katlang district, Mardan in 2010. He was later declared a ‘black’ category militant and shifted to the internment centre.
Safdar told the court he went to see his brother, but was denied access by concerned authorities. He also approached the commissioner of Malakand regarding the matter, but it is still pending.
Malakand Commissioner Fakhar-e-Alam said he had contacted authorities, but was yet to receive approval. Upon this, the bench reminded him of Rule 7 of the Action in Aid of Civil Power Regulation 2011, which allows blood relatives to visit interned persons.
“True, security of the state is supreme, but the right of visiting [detained persons] has been clearly mentioned in the law,” said Justice Khan, stressing on the need to adopt a procedure whereby relatives are allowed to visit the persons, but no classified information is divulged.
“Internment centre authorities should depute officials to monitor all visits,” said Justice Khan, adding that visitors should be thoroughly checked before they are allowed to meet their relatives.
The bench then ordered that a proper plan be submitted by the home and tribal affairs secretary, additional chief secretary of Fata and authorities of internment centres within 20 days.
The case has been adjourned till February 12.
Meanwhile, in a separate case on the smuggling of meat and poultry products to Afghanistan, PHC vacated stay orders against the export of these products after being assured that prices will remain within the range of customers.
The stay orders were withdrawn by the same division bench after the court was given indemnity bonds that price of poultry products including breeder chicken will not exceed Rs156 per kilogramme (kg), broiler chicken will not cost more than Rs185 per kg and beef will not be more expensive than Rs270 per kg.
The indemnity bonds were submitted by K-P Poultry Association and meat exporters. A penalty of Rs20 million and Rs10 million will be imposed on poultry and meat exporters, respectively, if prices go beyond the fixed rates, save a 10% profit margin on specific occasions. The court was also assured that prices will be reduced voluntarily in Ramazan.
The case was adjourned till March 5.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 24th, 2013.