PHC adjourns plea on terrorists’ settlements in KP

Humayun Khan
PESHAWAR: Peshawar High Court (PHC) adjourned hearing of Awami National Party (ANP) provincial president Aimal Wali Khan’s writ plea seeking the constitution of judicial commission against settlement of terrorists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa while apex court judgements were produced by applicant’s lawyer in this regard, on Thursday.
The counsel Babar Khan Yousafzai advocate argued that two judgements are granted in this regard each by Supreme Court of Pakistan and Sindh High Court while directing governments for constitution of judicial commission.
PHC’s divisional bench comprised of Justice Ijaz Anwar and Shakeel Ahmad heard writ plea for constitution of judicial commission against settlement of extremists across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa while Additional Advocate General Danyal Asad Chamkani and Babar Khan Yousafzai advocate were present.
On the previous hearing, PHC inquired regarding jurisdiction of higher judiciary regarding the constitution of judicial commission and available judgements of the courts in this regard, the counsel added.
Supreme Court of Pakistan’s judgement had directed government for constitution of commission in video leak case while Sindh High Court had ordered constitution of judicial commission against Sugar Mills mafia, Babar Khan Yousafzai argued.
ANP’s provincial president Aimal Wali Khan had wrote a letter to former Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif regarding agreements for settlement of terrorists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa which will psychologically impact war-trodden residents of the region, the counsel claimed. He added that letter to the Former Prime Minister is incorporated in the court’s file.
The counsel Babar Yousafzai advocate argued for constitution of judicial commission for identification of responsible authorities and to public secret agreements regarding settlement of terrorists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He added that for stern actions against responsible persons to ensure accountability for the settlement of terrorists.
Additional Advocate General Danyal Asad Chamkani argued that the petitioner had demanded relief against persons who didn’t possessing the position at this time and added to amend the plea. Because both former Prime Minister Imran Khan and ex Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa tenure had been completed.
Director General Inter Services Intelligence Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed is retired from service while the petitioner demanding relief against them and added that writ can’t be filed against retired personnel and argued for amendments in the plea to incorporate new respondents.
However, Babar Khan Yousafzai advocate argued for constitution of judicial commission to identify officials involved in the agreements, record statements of stakeholders and actions against responsible persons for settlement of terrorists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa while PHC adjourned further hearing till date to be fixed.