HC asks Def. Sec. for report on ISI role in poet abduction


On Thursday, Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) summoned a report from the defence secretary regarding the alleged involvement of state intelligence agencies in the abduction of Kashmiri poet and journalist Ahmed Farhad Shah.

Shah was reportedly abducted from his home a day earlier. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has called for his immediate release.

Shah’s wife filed a petition in the IHC on the same day, requesting that he be located and brought before the court, and that those responsible for his disappearance be identified, investigated, and prosecuted.

Justice Kayani held the initial hearing on the matter the previous day, directing Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jameel Zafar to retrieve Shah at any cost, warning that failure to do so would result in summoning the defence secretary.

At today’s hearing, Shah’s wife was represented by Advocates Imaan Zainab Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha. SSP Zafar, Assistant Attorney General Usman Rasool Ghuman, and other officials were also present.

According to the written order, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, SSP Zafar informed the court that an investigation was ongoing, with a special investigation team constituted. Geo-fencing efforts were underway, and CCTV footage of the incident had been collected, leading to the checking of multiple suspected vehicles and issuing letters to other law enforcement agencies.

The court directed the defence secretary to submit a concise report, including input from Inter-Services Intelligence and Military Intelligence, explaining the circumstances of Shah’s abduction from Islamabad. The case was adjourned until Monday.

Politician Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, who attended the hearing, expressed satisfaction with the court’s decisive stance on the matter.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, when asked about the case during a press conference, mentioned that he had discussed the matter with the inspector general of police (IGP), and a search was in progress.

“They are searching, and hopefully, something will be worked out and found,” Naqvi said.

During the hearing, Justice Kayani asked the SSP if he had ever received a “positive response” from institutions in missing persons investigations. He remarked that if the SSP claimed agents of RAW (Indian intelligence) were responsible, he would accept it.

Justice Kayani noted that no investigations into missing persons cases registered this year had been completed and criticized the ongoing situation, stating that the entire nation knows who is responsible, but chooses to ignore it.

“What a great system, the missing person can’t even come back and say anything. When the missing person turns up, he and his family are told to keep quiet,” he remarked.

Justice Kayani emphasized the need for legislation against enforced disappearances, suggesting that those involved should face severe penalties. He highlighted that many of the missing individuals are journalists and social activists critical of the state.

“I am summoning the ISI sector commander [for Islamabad] and defence secretary in a personal capacity. If the secretary cannot ensure the recovery, then I will summon ministers, and then the prime minister,” he stated.

The judge also warned that if Shah was not found, he would issue a show-cause notice under contempt of court. He expressed confidence in the police, saying, “The face of the state is the police, no one else.”

Justice Kayani concluded by questioning whether writing a letter to security agencies would solve the problem and remarked that Shah had been targeted for expressing opinions that offended some individuals.

“People are insulted on social media all day, what will you do? Will you pick up everyone? If that doesn’t work for you, give me an alternative option,” he said.

May 17, 2024

Source: Dawn

By Editor

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