The Peshawar High Court on Saturday directed the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa police chief to investigate the alleged abduction of provincial minister Fazal Shakoor Khan and take immediate steps to secure his recovery.
A two-member bench comprising Justice Syed Arshad Ali and Justice Kamran Hayat Miankhel issued the directions while hearing a petition filed by the missing minister’s brother, Anwar Aziz.
According to the petition, Fazal Shakoor was abducted by unidentified armed men near a motorway toll plaza on September 21. His lawyers told the court that the incident occurred close to a motorway entry and exit point despite the presence of police personnel in the area.
Chamkani police have registered an abduction case against unidentified suspects.
During an earlier hearing, the high court summoned the investigation officer handling the case. He informed the bench that two people who had been travelling with the minister had since returned home safely.
The two companions subsequently recorded statements under Section 161 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. According to their accounts, a group of approximately 14 men abducted the minister and his companions before releasing the other two individuals.
Lawyers representing the petitioner — Bashir Khan Wazir, Ali Zaman and Barrister Sarwar Muzaffar Shah — asked the court to involve the provincial police chief to ensure a comprehensive investigation and expedite the minister’s recovery.
The high court subsequently directed the K-P police chief to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the alleged abduction and ordered police authorities to take all necessary and immediate measures to locate and recover Fazal Shakoor.