Daily Times

As reports of former TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan’s escape from custody emerged, parents and family members of the children who were martyred in the terrorist attack targeting Peshawar’s Army Public School filed a petition with the Peshawar High Court on Saturday, seeking contempt of court proceedings against multiple government officials.

A writ petition moved by advocate Fazal Khan said the respondents, which include the country’s civil and military leadership as well as the federal and provincial secretaries, had assured the court that Ehsanullah would be tried by the military court and would not be granted clemency. “Now it has come to limelight, that far from trying the terrorist, Ehsanullah Ehsan was provided with the luxurious home from which the terrorist [conveniently] escaped,” said the petitioner in the application, adding that the claim has not been denied by the respondents.

“The petitioner has been informed through reliable sources that clemency is in order of Ehsanullah Ehsan for his ‘full and frank disclosure’ which is not only highly deplorable but also outrightly illegal and unconstitutional,” the writ petition says.

“Unfortunately, the demeanour of the respondents in bringing the culprits to justice is well highlighted by the fact that […] not a single step has been taken by the respodents to bring the culprits to justice,” the petition read. “The respondents, through their inaction and omission have categorically flouted the orders of this court. The conduct of the respondents is tantamount to contempt of court as even though ample time has passed, not only have they failed to do the needful but also the respondents have not even tried to abide by the directions of this honourable court and […] the respondents have not taken any steps to adhere to the judgment of this honourable court,” it added.

The petition maintained that Ehsan’s escape has raised fear in the hearts of parents as he is responsible for the Peshawar Army Public School massacre and the families of those who lost their lives in the attack still awaits justice.

The Peshawar High Court had in April 2018 barred the release of Ehsan, asking the government to wait until the relevant court tries him to decide his fate. The restriction on his release had come as the court heard a petition, also filed by the APS Shuhuda Forum, challenging an alleged government plan to grant clemency to Ehsan.

Ehsan had claimed credit for countless terrorist attacks on behalf of the TTP and Jamaatul Ahrar – among them the Wagah border bombing of 2014; the suicide attack on Christian community members celebrating Easter at a Lahore park in 2016; the killing of nine foreign tourists in Gilgit-Baltistan in 2013; and the shooting of girl education campaigner Malala Yousafzai in 2012.