Missing persons case: SC orders probe against ex-DPO Karak

A serving army official says ISI and MI officials came to his house and took away his brother.

ISLAMABAD:

The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered an inquiry against a former district police officer (DPO) of Karak and a local SHO for their alleged involvement in the enforced disappearance of two men.

A three-judge bench – headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry – ordered the probe while hearing the cases about the disappearance of Naveedur Rehman and Naseem Iqbal.

A serving army official, Azizur Rehman, had filed a petition in the apex court claiming that his younger brother, Naveedur Rehman, was in the custody of Karak police since August 30, 2011. While quoting the villagers, Aziz said that ISI and MI officials in civvies, along with the two uniformed policemen, came to his house and took away his brother.

Additional Attorney General Tariq Khokar informed the bench that the ISI and MI had conducted a discreet inquiry into the case, and according to them both Naveedur Rehman and Naseem Iqbal were not in their custody.

The court also questioned incumbent DPO Attiqullah Wazir why he had not interrogated the then DPO Karak, Sajid Khan Muhammad, and the SHO Khurram police station, Peer Mohsin Shah — who also appeared before the court and denied the allegations.

The court told DPO Khan that if he does not disclose the truth then “the court will ask the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa police chief to interrogate Khan by forming a team comprising officials of other provinces as well.” The chief justice also warned the ex-DPO Karak that he could be arrested, if he tries to hide the facts.

Though the court ordered written interrogation against police officers, it made it clear that investigation will be carried out without making any arrest.  The case was adjourned for seven days.