The Peshawar High Court has issued notices to the federal government, the chief secretary, the inspector general of police and other relevant authorities over petitions seeking the recovery of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, Assembly Speaker Babar Saleem Swati and others.
The court sought responses from the parties concerned after petitioners’ counsel claimed that the provincial leaders and other individuals had been taken into custody following the imposition of an emergency and Governor’s Rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Their whereabouts remain unknown, according to the counsel.
A two-member bench of the Peshawar High Court, presided over by Justice Syed Arshad Ali, heard the petitions concerning the recovery of Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, Speaker Babar Saleem Swati, Junaid Akbar and others.
During the proceedings, the petitioners’ counsel told the court that the individuals had been taken into custody after the imposition of an emergency and Governor’s Rule in the province. The counsel said their current whereabouts were not known.
The petitions sought the recovery of the chief minister, the provincial assembly speaker, Junaid Akbar and other individuals whose whereabouts remain unconfirmed, according to the arguments presented before the court.
Concerns over assembly apeaker’s custody
The petitioners’ counsel specifically highlighted that Babar Saleem Swati holds a constitutional office but had nevertheless been taken into custody.
The counsel reiterated that it was currently unknown where the speaker and the other individuals were being held, raising concerns about their whereabouts following the provincial emergency and the imposition of Governor’s Rule.
During the hearing, Justice Syed Arshad Ali questioned the petitioners’ counsel about the chief minister’s whereabouts and the decision not to name the chief secretary as a respondent.
“Where is the chief minister, exactly?” the judge asked, while also questioning why the chief secretary had not been made a party to the case.
The court subsequently issued notices to the federal government, the chief secretary, the inspector general of police and other concerned parties, seeking their replies to the petitions.
After issuing the notices, the Peshawar High Court adjourned the hearing of the recovery cases until November 3.
The concerned authorities are expected to submit their responses as the court continues proceedings on the petitions seeking the recovery of Sohail Afridi, Babar Saleem Swati, Junaid Akbar and others.
