PESHAWAR: The chief justice of Peshawar High Court, while hearing the missing persons’ case on Tuesday, gave a final warning to officials to appear before the court in person or face action.

Chief Justice Dost Muhammad Khan issued the warning to Secretary Interior, Secretary Defense, In-charge Inter Service Intelligence (ISI), Inspector General Frontier Corps (FC), Sector Commanders, IGP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, DIG Headquarters, CCPO, Home Secretary and other concerned officials to appear in person on Feb 14, failing which their salaries and other perks and privileges would be stopped.

The chief justice, who was heading a two-member bench comprising himself and Justice Mrs Irshad Qaiser, also ordered submission of a complete list of missing persons and secret detention centers of intelligence agencies in the next hearing.

The CJ observed that there was no development in the case since June last year, and that the concerned departments were dragging their feet on the missing persons list and the details of detention centres.

He warned that if these officials failed to appear in person, action would be taken against them and the court will also hear Prime Minister’s orders for sending army to the tribal areas and else where and the legality of the Action (in aid of civil power) Regulation for Fata and Pata..

Deputy Advocate General Muzamil Khan represented the federation and the additional advocate General Naveed Akhter was present on behalf of the KP government.

The deputy advocate general told the court that a list of 848 people have already been handed over to the provincial government and assured the court of their presence in the next hearing.

During the hearing, the chief justice also took strong notice of police baton-charge and shelling on the heirs of 18 people killed allegedly by the security forces in Khbyber Agency last week.

The court summoned the provincial home secretary to appear within one hour to explain the situation but because of illness, he could not turn up.

Subsequently, ordering his presence for the next hearing, the court adjourned the proceedings to Feb 14.