PHC seeks reports in missing persons cases from Peshawar, Mardan

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Saturday issued written orders on petitions seeking the recovery of several missing persons from Peshawar and Mardan.

Justice SM Atiq Shah passed the orders on written applications filed before the court.

According to the court order, five individuals—Muhammad Abrar, Muhammad Sohail, Muhammad Farshid, Muhammad Zubair and Muhammad Khurshid—reportedly went missing from the jurisdiction of Khazana police station in Peshawar.

The court noted that allegations regarding their disappearance have been levelled against the Station House Officer (SHO) of Khazana police station. The SHO has been directed to submit a detailed report within seven days.

In a separate petition, the disappearance of Payo Khan from the limits of Mathra police station has been alleged against the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Peshawar. The SHO CTD Peshawar and the SHO of Mathra police station have been ordered to file their replies within seven days.

In another case, the disappearance of Kashif Usman from Mardan has been attributed to CTD Mardan. The in-charge of CTD Mardan and the SHO of the relevant police station have likewise been directed to submit their responses to the court within the same timeframe.

The court’s orders aim to ascertain the facts and ensure accountability in the reported cases of enforced disappearance.