PESHAWAR: A family from Peshawar on Monday appealed for justice, alleging that they had been subjected to illegal detention, harassment, extortion attempts and threats by police officials from Mardan and Peshawar.

Addressing a news conference at the press club here alongside his wife, Syed Usman Bukhari, a resident of Charsadda Road, Peshawar, claimed that he was allegedly abducted by personnel of Sheikh Maltoon police station, Mardan, and held in unlawful custody for 27 days.

He said the incident stemmed from a financial dispute involving his brother, Syed Ali Shah, who had allegedly used his phone to contact an individual regarding a monetary transaction. He alleged that on the fifth day of Ramazan, police officials, including Sheikh Maltoon SHO Shafiq and personnel, identified as Rizwan and Taimur, took him into custody from the Lady Reading Hospital while dressed in plain clothes.

Mr Bukhari claimed that during the detention, he was subjected to severe hardship and was moved between different detention facilities.

He further alleged that after his release, police officials raided his residence without a search warrant and took his wife, Syeda Nafeesa Usman Bukhari, into custody. He claimed she was held for six days and subjected to similar treatment.

The family also accused police of taking cash, jewellery, mobile phones and other valuables from their home during the raid.

According to Mr Bukhari, the alleged harassment later extended to their children, who were reportedly threatened and blackmailed through phone calls.

He further alleged that fake cases had been registered against them and claimed that one of his daughters had gone missing due to fear and distress caused by the situation.

“We have never been involved in any illegal activity,” Mr Bukhari said.

He alleged that threatening calls were still being received from individuals linked to Sheikh Maltoon and Khazana police stations. According to him, the callers demanded that certain conditions be met to resolve the matter, warning of further consequences otherwise.

The family appealed to the chief minister, chief secretary, home secretary and IGP to order an impartial inquiry into the allegations.

No official response from the police was immediately available on the allegations at the time of filing this report.

Published in Dawn, June 9th, 2026