PESHAWAR – The Supreme Court of Pakistan registry in Peshawar on Wednesday came down hard on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police and provincial authorities over the illegal use of case property vehicles, questioning why hundreds of impounded vehicles were allegedly being used unlawfully by officials, including after their retirement.
A three-member bench comprising Justice Musarrat Hilali, Justice Shakeel Ahmad, and Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim presided over the hearing. Advocate General Shah Faisal Utmankhel and senior police officials appeared before the court to respond to queries about the vehicles currently under police control.
Also Read: Peshawar High Court Slams Poor Handling of Canal Pollution
During the proceedings, Justice Hilali demanded an explanation about the status of vehicles seized in various criminal cases. “We had asked you for a list of vehicles parked in the warehouse. Have you submitted it?” she asked the Advocate General.
The Advocate General confirmed the submission and stated that 1,119 vehicles were currently parked in warehouses. However, Justice Hilali immediately pressed further, saying, “Leave those aside. Tell us about the vehicles in active use — not the ones parked.”
Justice Hilali sharply criticised the misuse of these vehicles, remarking that police officers continue to use official vehicles even after retirement. “They tint the windows and move around like VIPs,” she said. ” Do you even know how many vehicles are being used right now?” she asked.
Also Read: PHC Bans Glacier Cutting in Upper Dir, Warns Of Climate Impact
“I don’t have that information,” the Advocate General replied, prompting Justice Hilali to respond: “This is astonishing. What exactly are you doing while all of this is happening right under your nose?”
Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim pointed out that many of these case property vehicles should have been auctioned, but instead, they had been “distributed” among certain individuals. He held Station House Officers (SHOs) responsible for vehicles under their jurisdictions, but the Advocate General claimed SHOs act on orders from senior officers and cannot refuse.
“Saying SHOs are weak is an excuse,” Justice Hilali responded. ” An SHO is not bound to follow illegal orders from a superior.”
Also Read: PHC Lashes Out Over Missing Persons Case, Warns Police of Contempt
The court expressed dismay at the erosion of public trust in the police. “It’s unfortunate that people now feel unsafe in the presence of police,” Justice Hilali remarked. “Senior officers use expensive, seized vehicles to conduct raids, which is disgraceful.”
The bench directed the Advocate General to gather comprehensive data from all 34 police stations in the province and submit a report detailing the location and usage of all case property vehicles, including those still in active use. “All case property vehicles must be parked in designated warehouses, not at police stations,” Justice Hilali ordered.
Before adjourning the hearing, the court warned that “the era of blind justice is over,” and ordered authorities to submit full vehicle usage details in the next hearing.
By taking a firm stance against the illegal use of case property vehicles, the Supreme Court signaled a push toward accountability in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s policing system, underscoring that public resources must not be misappropriated under any pretext.
