Govt put on notice in missing person case

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Monday issued notices to the federal and provincial governments in a case concerning the disappearance of a young man from Peshawar.

PHC acting Chief Justice SM Atique Shah heard the case. During the hearing, the chief justice remarked that if the head of a family was picked up, it became the state’s responsibility to support the family.

The court directed that the petitioner, the mother of the missing youth, be provided accommodation in a shelter home and be given a monthly stipend through the Benazir Income Support Programme.

Additional Advocate General Adnan Ali, Deputy Attorney General, and the police focal person appeared before the court.The mother of the missing youth informed the bench that her family had come to Peshawar from Vehari district of the Punjab province, and made a living by selling miswaks.

She said her son had been picked up in Peshawar and had since gone missing. “I have only daughters left. We have no one to support us. Where should we go?” she asked the court.In response, the chief justice addressed the government lawyers, stating that if a family’s breadwinner was taken away, the state was responsible for their welfare.

He instructed the attorney general’s office to coordinate with the chief secretary to ensure the family’s protection and financial assistance.