PHC withdraws stay in Alkozai brothers case

The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has withdrawn the stay order previously granted in favour of the four Alkozai brothers who went missing from the upscale Hayatabad area of Peshawar. The court has also adjourned the hearing of the petition—challenging the blocking of the family’s Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs)—until April 21.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Syed Arshad Ali and Justice Dr. Khurshid Iqbal heard the case. At the outset of the hearing, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Advocate General Shah Faisal Utmankhel and Additional Attorney General Sanaullah appeared before the court.

Advocate Muazzam Butt, representing the petitioners, stated that last year, four members of the Alkozai family—Usman Khan, Muhammad Nasir, Abdul Waris, and Zahir—were abducted from their home in Hayatabad by armed individuals. CCTV footage of the incident reportedly shows the abductors in uniform, while police authorities have denied involvement in the case.

The counsel noted that despite a significant lapse of time, the whereabouts of the abducted individuals remain unknown. He added that a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) was formed to trace them, but it produced no outcome.

Meanwhile, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) blocked the identity cards of the missing individuals, alleging that they are citizens of neighbouring Afghanistan.

During the hearing, the Additional Attorney General informed the bench that NADRA’s report confirmed the petitioners’ Afghan nationality and further claimed that the family has relocated to Afghanistan, with records supporting their movement.

The Advocate General informed the court that supplementary applications have been submitted, requesting dismissal of the case.

NADRA’s official said the stay order had prevented the authority from taking any action against the petitioners under its regulations.