In a welcome development, Sessions Judge Shakirullah Marwat, who was abducted by unidentified kidnappers on Dera Ismail Khan’s Tank Road, has been safely reunited with his family, confirmed the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) early Monday. The police emphasised that the judge’s recovery was achieved without succumbing to any deals with the abductors.
The circumstances surrounding Judge Shakirullah’s safe return indicate the involvement of a local jirga, although neither the provincial nor the district administration has released any official statement regarding the matter.
Judge Marwat was enroute from Tank to Dera when his vehicle was intercepted by unidentified individuals, leading to his abduction. Subsequently, the assailants set his vehicle ablaze, adding to the urgency of the situation.
Upon receiving reports of the incident, the Tank district police officer (DPO) swiftly mobilised a substantial police contingent to the crime scene, initiating immediate efforts to locate and secure the abducted judge.
In response to the alarming situation, the Peshawar High Court (PHC) summoned the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief secretary, provincial police chief, and additional chief secretary, instructing them to take prompt and effective measures for Judge Marwat’s recovery.
During the court proceedings, KP Police Chief Akhtar Hayat Khan and Additional Chief Secretary Abid Majeed apprised the judges of the ongoing efforts and assured them that all available resources were being deployed to ensure the judge’s safe return.
They emphasised the coordination between relevant authorities, including regional police officers (RPOs), commissioners, district police officers (DPOs), and other security agencies, to expedite the recovery process and provide regular updates to the concerned authorities.
Senior PHC jurists stressed the government’s responsibility to ensure the security of judges and emphasised the imperative of avoiding any lapses in this regard.