KARACHI: The Sindh High Court summoned on Wednesday the provincial police officer for not appointing focal person in missing persons’ cases.

While hearing dozens of missing persons’ petitions, the two-judge bench of the SHC headed by Justice Aftab Ahmed Gorar directed the inspector general of Sindh police to appear on May 30 and explain as to why the focal person had not been appointed despite court orders.

The bench also directed the DIG West to hold an inquiry into the killing of a man in an alleged encounter.

Petitioner Yar Khan contended that the Counter-Terror­ism Department officers allegedly picked up his brother Taj Mohammad on April 16, 2016 and killed him in a staged encounter in Manghopir on May 28, 2016.

Sharjeel’s plea dismissed

Another bench dismissed on Wednesday an application of former provincial information minister Sharjeel Memon seeking review of an earlier order regarding dismissal of his bail in a corruption reference.

The detained former minister had moved a bail application on medical grounds and on May 14 a two-judge bench rejected the bail plea.

Mr Memon through his lawyer moved another application seeking review of a part of the May 14 order. However, the bench also dismissed the review application.

The lawyer for the applicant, Khalid Jawaid, said that they sought review of a part which said Sharjeel Memon may be treated in a private hospital and then returned to jail.

The counsel contended that the trial court had already allowed the applicant admission in hospital for treatment and the National Accountability Bureau had not challenged it.

Published in Dawn, May 17th, 2018