District and Session Judge Shakirullah Marwat has been safely recovered after a harrowing abduction ordeal. The incident, which occurred near the border area of Tank and Dera Ismail Khan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, sparked widespread concern. However, as reported by media, the diligent efforts of law enforcement have led to the safe return of Judge Shakirullah Marwat.
Adviser to KP Chief Minister on Information, Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, confirmed the heartening news of Marwat’s recovery. Speaking to Media News, Barrister Saif assured the public that Judge Marwat has been securely relocated to his home. Despite the relief brought by this development, details surrounding the abduction and subsequent recovery are yet to be fully disclosed, as indicated by Barrister Saif’s statement regarding further forthcoming information.
The incident unfolded when Session Judge Shakirullah Marwat, who is stationed in South Waziristan, was traveling back to DI Khan after fulfilling his duty obligations. According to DI Khan Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Mohammad Adnan, armed men intercepted the judge’s official vehicle in a village named Bagwal along the Tank-DI Khan road. The armed assailants, numbering between 25 to 50, forcibly stopped the vehicle, leading to the abduction of Judge Marwat.
Following the abduction, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) swiftly initiated action, registering a first-information report (FIR) against the unidentified perpetrators. The FIR, lodged by Judge Marwat’s driver Sher Ali, details the traumatic sequence of events. Ali recounted how the armed men opened fire, blindfolded him, and left the area after commandeering the judge’s vehicle. The perpetrators then altered the judge’s attire and set the vehicle ablaze before departing, leaving behind a message for the authorities.
Despite the ordeal, the perpetrators spared the driver and instructed him to convey their message to the authorities. Subsequently, they escorted Judge Marwat into the jungle, as recounted in the FIR. However, a video surfaced where Judge Marwat briefly conveyed that the militants had specific demands from the government, hinting at a possible motive behind the abduction.
Prior to the lodging of the FIR, authorities had mobilized a high-level special team to expedite the recovery efforts. The KP government and the Peshawar High Court (PHC) swiftly intervened, summoning key officials and issuing directives for the prompt retrieval of the kidnapped judge.
While Session Judge Shakirullah Marwat’s safe recovery brings a sigh of relief, the incident underscores the persistent challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in ensuring the security of judicial personnel in sensitive regions. As investigations continue, the focus remains on addressing the underlying factors contributing to such incidents and bolstering security measures to prevent their recurrence.
