The Peshawar High Court has expressed concern over the increasing cases of enforced disappearances in the province, particularly by the police and counter-terrorism department. Chief Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim has ordered Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur to appear before the court on July 22 to provide details on the government’s efforts to address this issue.
The court’s directive came during a hearing on a habeas corpus petition filed by a resident whose brother was allegedly illegally detained by the police. The petitioner claimed that the police demanded a ransom of Rs7 million for his brother’s release.
Advocate Malik Sarfaraz Khan, representing the petitioner, stated that the detainee was wrongfully held by the SHO without any legitimate reason. The lawyer requested the court to order the police to produce the detainee before the court and emphasized that such enforced disappearances violate constitutional rights.
The court highlighted the alarming increase in missing persons’ cases and the extortion of ransom by law enforcement officials. As numerous cases of enforced disappearances are pending before the high court, families are accusing the agencies of unlawfully detaining their loved ones.
One such case involves the disappearance of four brothers from a prominent business family, allegedly kidnapped by individuals in police uniform. Despite the petition being reviewed by the court, the police claim ignorance of the incident.
The court’s action signifies a crucial step towards addressing enforced disappearances and ensuring accountability from law enforcement agencies.