Enforced disappearances: PHC summons detainees held in Lakki Marwat
Division bench seeks autopsy report of Kohat inmate.
PESHAWAR:
The Peshawar High Court ordered authorities to produce two previously missing people whose whereabouts were ultimately traced to the Lakki Marwat internment centre.
On Tuesday, the division bench of Chief Justice Mazhar Alam Miankhel and Justice Malik Manzoor Hussain heard multiple cases on enforced disappearances.
The bench ordered the head of the internment centre to produce both inmates on October 16—the date of the next hearing. The officials were also told to specify the reasons for their detention.
Unknown offenses
The court was told by Nargis Bibi, the mother of detainees Qadar Shah and Asghar Shah, that her sons were picked by security forces during the military operation in Swat. Nargis added she should at least be informed of the offences, if any, committed by her sons.
Speaking to the media outside the courtroom, she said her children were studying in Karachi, but later gave up on their education. The mother pointed out Qadar Shah suffered mental illness.
From missing to deceased
The court also sought the autopsy report for Noor Gul. Gul had been detained at the internment centre in Kohat. His body was handed over to his family on September 14, Noor’s mother Hukam Jana told the PHC.
She said her son had been missing for 18 months, but the family was later informed that he was being held in Kohat. Hukam Jana said she visited Gul on two occasions and he seemed to be in decent health.
Showing pictures to the bench, she said when she received the body earlier this month, it appeared weak and frail.
Seven
Outside the court, Jan Saba told the media seven members of her family were picked by security agencies during the military operation in Swat, but their whereabouts remain unknown. Those missing include her husband Muhammad Shakil, son Muhammad Salim and relatives Fazal Akbar, Sufi Jan, Nasrullah, Qaiser and Salam.
She alleged the elders of the area handed them over to security forces, adding if her relatives had done anything against the state, they should be brought before the court and prosecuted according to the law.
In the previous hearing, the PHC had directed the SHOs of East Cantonment and Chamkani to appear in person and explain certain points in the case of one of the deceased missing persons, Roohullah.
East Cantt SHO Kamal Hussain appeared on Tuesday but the other officer was away for Hajj.
On September 4, the court was told by the brother of Roohullah that he had been warned by the police not to pursue the case. At Tuesday’s hearing, the division bench asked the petitioner if there was any change in the situation. He replied that matters had improved.
Roohullah was allegedly picked up outside Peshawar Central Prison on September 6, 2013 by an intelligence agency.
He was initially arrested on May 24, 2013, along with his mother, three brothers and another suspect by the Chamkani police from his residence in Tarnab Farm. The police alleged the detainees were preparing an improvised explosive device.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 1st, 2014.
The Peshawar High Court ordered authorities to produce two previously missing people whose whereabouts were ultimately traced to the Lakki Marwat internment centre.
On Tuesday, the division bench of Chief Justice Mazhar Alam Miankhel and Justice Malik Manzoor Hussain heard multiple cases on enforced disappearances.
The bench ordered the head of the internment centre to produce both inmates on October 16—the date of the next hearing. The officials were also told to specify the reasons for their detention.
Unknown offenses
The court was told by Nargis Bibi, the mother of detainees Qadar Shah and Asghar Shah, that her sons were picked by security forces during the military operation in Swat. Nargis added she should at least be informed of the offences, if any, committed by her sons.
Speaking to the media outside the courtroom, she said her children were studying in Karachi, but later gave up on their education. The mother pointed out Qadar Shah suffered mental illness.
From missing to deceased
The court also sought the autopsy report for Noor Gul. Gul had been detained at the internment centre in Kohat. His body was handed over to his family on September 14, Noor’s mother Hukam Jana told the PHC.
She said her son had been missing for 18 months, but the family was later informed that he was being held in Kohat. Hukam Jana said she visited Gul on two occasions and he seemed to be in decent health.
Showing pictures to the bench, she said when she received the body earlier this month, it appeared weak and frail.
Seven
Outside the court, Jan Saba told the media seven members of her family were picked by security agencies during the military operation in Swat, but their whereabouts remain unknown. Those missing include her husband Muhammad Shakil, son Muhammad Salim and relatives Fazal Akbar, Sufi Jan, Nasrullah, Qaiser and Salam.
She alleged the elders of the area handed them over to security forces, adding if her relatives had done anything against the state, they should be brought before the court and prosecuted according to the law.
In the previous hearing, the PHC had directed the SHOs of East Cantonment and Chamkani to appear in person and explain certain points in the case of one of the deceased missing persons, Roohullah.
East Cantt SHO Kamal Hussain appeared on Tuesday but the other officer was away for Hajj.
On September 4, the court was told by the brother of Roohullah that he had been warned by the police not to pursue the case. At Tuesday’s hearing, the division bench asked the petitioner if there was any change in the situation. He replied that matters had improved.
Roohullah was allegedly picked up outside Peshawar Central Prison on September 6, 2013 by an intelligence agency.
He was initially arrested on May 24, 2013, along with his mother, three brothers and another suspect by the Chamkani police from his residence in Tarnab Farm. The police alleged the detainees were preparing an improvised explosive device.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 1st, 2014.