PESHAWAR:
Justice Kamran Hayat MianKhel of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) has strongly criticized the police for their failure to act promptly in missing persons’ cases, questioning why Station House Officers (SHOs) and senior officials cannot even prepare a two-line report despite being based in Peshawar.
He made these remarks during the hearing of multiple petitions seeking the recovery of 11 missing persons from different areas. The single-member bench, headed by Justice Kamran Hayat MianKhel, issued notices to the federal and provincial governments along with other relevant authorities, directing them to submit replies.
During the proceedings, the Assistant Attorney General, Additional Advocate General, officials from the Home Department, and police focal persons appeared before the court. Petitioners’ counsels argued that their clients have been missing for several months and that repeated attempts to lodge FIRs had failed.
One female petitioner’s lawyer informed the court that despite approaching the police station, an FIR was not registered.
Expressing concern, Justice MianKhel asked why the SHO failed to initiate an inquiry once the disappearance was reported. “When SHOs and DPOs are available in Peshawar, why can they not even write a two-line report?” he remarked.
The Additional Advocate General explained that missing persons’ cases follow a procedure where all reports are compiled and forwarded to the Home Department, which often causes delays. The court, however, directed all parties to submit their reports by the next hearing and adjourned the proceedings until September 12.
Separately, PHC has suspended the transfer order of the District Health Officer (DHO) Orakzai, allegedly issued on the recommendation of a local MPA, and has sought a detailed response from the provincial Health Department.
A two-member bench comprising Justice Waqar Ahmad and Justice Ijaz Khan heard the petition filed by Dr Inayatur Rehman. Counsel for the petitioner, Advocate Aminur Rehman Yousafzai, informed the court that his client was appointed as a Medical Officer in 2012, later promoted to Grade-18, and has extensive management experience. He was serving as DHO Orakzai when the controversy arose.
The counsel stated that in January 2025, Dr Rehman initiated recruitment against vacant technical posts through the Educational Testing and Evaluation Agency (ETEA). After completion of all stages, a Departmental Selection Committee (DSC) was formed on June 12, 2025, which ensured merit and transparency. Appointment letters were issued to successful paramedics on July 15.
However, a local MPA objected to the recruitment process, demanding its cancellation and accusing the DHO of receiving money from candidates. Following this, an inquiry committee was formed and a social media campaign was launched against the petitioner. The counsel further alleged that on the MPA’s directions, his personal secretary, an Afghan national and a doctor, along with others stormed the DHO’s office, created a scene, and issued threats. A case was registered at City Police Station Hangu.
Instead of appreciating the transparent hiring process, the government issued a notification on August 28, removing the petitioner from his position. The plea sought suspension of the transfer order, restoration of the petitioner as DHO, initiation of disqualification proceedings against the MPA in the provincial Assembly through the Election Commission, and cancellation of the secretary’s professional card over the office attack.
The court suspended the transfer notification and directed the Health Department to submit its reply.
