PHC orders KP police chief to probe minister's alleged abduction, ensure recovery

A Pakistani court has ordered the police chief of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province to investigate the disappearance of a provincial minister and take all necessary steps to ensure his recovery. The Peshawar High Court issued a two-page written order in the case of provincial minister Fazal Shakoor Khan, who was allegedly abducted by unidentified masked men on the motorway while travelling from Charsadda to Peshawar. He had been on his way to attend a party meeting.

What did the Peshawar High Court order?

The Peshawar High Court directed the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa inspector general of police to investigate the alleged abduction of provincial minister Fazal Shakoor Khan. The court ordered police to take all necessary measures to secure his recovery. It also directed the police chief to submit the inquiry report by October 1, the date of the next hearing.

Who filed the petition over the minister's abduction?

The petition was filed by Anwar Uzir, the brother of Fazal Shakoor Khan. He told the court that the minister was allegedly abducted in broad daylight from a motorway toll plaza. During the hearing, the investigating officer told the court that two people allegedly abducted alongside the minister had since returned home safely, and that their statements had been recorded.

Are other PTI leaders facing similar abductions?

According to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf provincial president Junaid Akbar, unidentified men have allegedly targeted the party's lawmakers, leaders and workers through attacks and abductions since PTI's call for a long march to Islamabad on September 27, which was later postponed to October 4. Akbar said two lawmakers, including Fazal Shakoor Khan and Fazal Muhammad Khan, along with dozens of party workers, have allegedly been abducted so far. He also alleged that other PTI figures, including Shakeel Khan, Fakhar Jahan, Kamal Swati and Riaz Khan, have been attacked or had their homes raided in what he described as attempts to abduct them.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Secretariat also sought a record of arrests, detentions, raids, searches and other actions involving provincial lawmakers.

In a letter to the provincial police chief, the Secretariat asked for a complete report and copies of FIRs relating to all such incidents reported over the past two weeks. The IGP has been directed to provide the record immediately for submission to the KP Assembly speaker.