The Peshawar High Court has taken a significant step in a mysterious disappearance case, formally demanding answers from top federal authorities. The court is investigating the alleged disappearance of a Russian national who reportedly arrived in Pakistan earlier this year.
Court Demands Federal Response
A single-member bench of the Peshawar High Court, headed by Chief Justice Justice SM Atiq Shah, has issued formal notices to key government bodies. The bench has directed the federal government, the Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and the Director General of Immigration & Passports to submit their replies. This action follows a petition filed for the safe recovery of the missing individual.
Details of the Disappearance
During the court proceedings, the petitioner's counsel, Advocate Mohsin Farooq, presented the case. He informed the bench that the Russian citizen, identified as Mahmud Glegov, arrived in Islamabad in January 2025. After his arrival, he traveled to Peshawar, where he subsequently went missing. The lawyer stated there has been no trace of him since his disappearance, and no information is available about who may have taken him. The primary goal of the petition is to ensure his safe recovery.
Conflicting Reports from Authorities
The hearing revealed conflicting information from government representatives. Additional Advocate General Nomanul Haq Kakakhel informed the court that while a report from the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) had been received, the department itself had no concrete information on the case. More strikingly, Assistant Attorney General Atif Nazeer stated that authorities were not even certain whether the Russian citizen had actually entered Pakistan or arrived in Islamabad.
Responding to this uncertainty, Chief Justice SM Atiq Shah remarked that the first point of clarification must be whether Glegov landed at Islamabad Airport. Only after establishing this fact could the government be questioned further. The petitioner's counsel firmly affirmed that the Russian national did arrive, had communicated with his brother, received a visa from Moscow, and traveled to Pakistan in January 2025.
Court Directives and Next Steps
The Chief Justice issued clear directives to resolve the confusion. He ordered the DG FIA and DG Immigration & Passports to examine the matter thoroughly. They must submit a detailed report confirming whether the petitioner's brother, Mahmud Glegov, entered Pakistan. Both departments were instructed to file their reports before the next hearing.
The bench subsequently issued formal notices to the federal government, DG FIA, and DG Immigration & Passports, seeking their official replies. The proceedings were then adjourned, pending the submission of the required reports. This case highlights the critical role of judicial oversight in addressing serious allegations and ensuring accountability from state institutions regarding the safety of foreign nationals in the country.
