The Peshawar High Court has summoned responses from police and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) over the disappearance of a PhD student from Mardan. The case, concerning Asad Ali, a doctoral candidate at Islamia College, was heard by a single-member bench led by Justice Ijaz Anwar.
During the proceedings, Justice Anwar strongly criticized the authorities, stating, “This government’s indifference is appalling. They pick people up, hold them for months, and when they find nothing, they plant a pistol or other items to register a minor case against them.”
The petitioner’s lawyer, Zarbad Shah, informed the court that his client, Asad Ali, was taken from a mosque in Babu Mohalla, Mardan, on October 1. Since then, his whereabouts remain unknown. He further alleged that CTD officials had contacted the family 12 days later, demanding a pistol. When the family resisted, the demand changed to handing over a hand grenade.
The lawyer requested the court summon the CTD SP to provide information on the missing student’s location. Justice Anwar noted the challenges faced by police, stating, “Even when evidence is on camera, authorities refuse to admit to the abduction.”
The Advocate General, Shah Faisal Uthman Khail, remarked that such cases often lack witnesses willing to testify in court about who was responsible for the abductions.
The court issued notices to police and CTD officials, demanding a detailed report on the matter, and adjourned the hearing. This case highlights ongoing concerns about enforced disappearances and alleged misuse of authority by law enforcement agencies.
