The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has emphasized that ensuring the safety of individuals attending peace jirgas falls under the responsibility of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister, while expressing strong concern over recent disappearances.
During hearings on several petitions related to missing persons, Justice S.M. Atiq Shah questioned the circumstances under which attendees of a peace jirga went missing after participating in the event. The court specifically referred to the case of Muhammad Nazif and other individuals who disappeared after attending the jirga.
The Chief Justice remarked, “How is it possible that individuals invited to participate in a jirga are picked up upon returning? If we cannot guarantee the safety of guests, why are they even invited?” He underscored that protecting participants is a fundamental duty of the provincial government.
The court proceeded to take action on a total of six pending petitions and summoned responses from the concerned parties for the next hearing. Additionally, the PHC has requested a report from the Peshawar City Police Officer (CCPO) to provide details of the disappearances and ongoing investigations.
