The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday strongly criticized the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), accusing the agency of “running the country” instead of adhering to the law, during a hearing on the disappearance of poet Ahmed Farhad.
Ahmed Farhad, a prominent poet known for his progressive views and criticism of the government, went missing a week ago. His wife filed a petition in the IHC seeking his recovery. The petition, represented by lawyers Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha, has drawn widespread attention and public outrage.
Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, presiding over the case, expressed frustration with the ISI’s denial of any knowledge about Farhad’s whereabouts. “You are sending messages on one hand and on the other saying the person is not with us,” Justice Kayani remarked. “Are you going to run the country or follow the law?”
The judge criticized the ISI’s claim that they had no information about Farhad’s disappearance as “not believable,” pointing out that police records indicate many people have gone missing. He emphasized that intelligence agencies should shed the perception of their involvement in forced abductions.
Justice Kayani also commented on the ISI’s influence, stating, “Sector commanders do not live on the moon… don’t turn them into kings… the country can run without them.” He underscored that a sector commander is merely an 18-grade officer and should not be placed on a pedestal.
The court directed the investigating officer to record the statement of the sector commander and submit it by the next day. The hearing was adjourned until Tuesday, with the court summoning the defence and interior secretaries, and requesting a report based on the sector commander’s statement.
Farhad’s case has highlighted issues of forced disappearances in Pakistan. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan had previously called for his immediate release. Justice Kayani had initially ordered Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jameel Zafar to retrieve Farhad, warning that failure to do so would result in summoning the defence secretary.
Two court orders were issued on Monday. In the first, it was noted that the petitioner had filed a plea to withdraw the main petition after contact was made with Farhad, allegedly through assurances from the ISI. However, despite these assurances, Farhad was not released.
“This Court is not satisfied with the working of the Secretary Ministry of Defence as well as officials of ISI,” the order read, directing the defence ministry to submit a concise report with a clear explanation by 3 pm.
In the second order, issued post-3 pm, the defence ministry informed the court that Farhad was not in ISI custody. The court then summoned the defence and interior secretaries in person for the following day to explain why law enforcement agencies have been unable to locate a single person allegedly abducted in Islamabad.
May 21, 2024
Source: Dawn, Express Tribune