Court Slams Authorities for Harassing Peaceful Citizens in Missing Persons Case

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court has criticized authorities for harassing peaceful citizens, stating that such actions only fuel public resentment. The remarks came during the hearing of 15 petitions related to missing persons, presided over by Justice Ijaz Anwar.

Additional Advocate General, Deputy Attorney General, petitioners’ lawyers, police officials, and representatives from the Home Department appeared before the court.

During the hearing, a lawyer informed the court that a 15-year-old boy had been taken away, and on August 25, officials from the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and local police raided the family’s home without female officers. The police allegedly burned down three of their houses on August 27.

The Additional Advocate General told the court that the Station House Officer (SHO) and CTD officials had submitted a report stating that Sajidullah, brother of the missing person, was involved in terrorism. However, the petitioner’s counsel said that the family had severed ties with him four years ago and had even published disassociation notices in newspapers. He argued that if there was suspicion against Sajidullah, authorities should act against him — not punish the innocent family.

Justice Ijaz Anwar remarked that “peaceful people are being harassed, and this only increases hatred.” The court directed the Deputy Commissioner of Bannu to submit a report regarding the alleged burning of the houses and ordered federal and provincial governments, along with other concerned parties, to present detailed reports in the missing persons cases.