ISLAMABAD, MAY 21: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ordered the government to recover missing Kashmiri poet Ahmed Farhad by Friday.
Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani issued the directive during a hearing on the poet’s disappearance.
Farhad was allegedly abducted from his house last week.
His wife filed a petition in the IHC on May 15 seeking his recovery.
She also requested an investigation and prosecution of those responsible for his disappearance.
Human rights lawyer Iman Mazari represented Farhad’s wife in court.
Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan assured the court of efforts to rescue Farhad.
“[We] will do whatever it takes. [We] will rescue and recover [Farhad],” said the AGP.
The hearing was attended by the interior secretary and Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi.
Justice Kayani ordered the AGP to ensure that “no one gets picked up from Islamabad.”
“If a person does not get recovered, it will be a failure of the state,” the judge said.
The AGP asked for time to ensure the poet’s recovery.
The court inquired if the AGP’s statement was made after consulting the federal government.
The petitioner’s lawyer asked the AGP to share the progress on recovery made in the last six days.
“If the agencies don’t have him [Farhad], then he can be traced at least,” she argued.
She mentioned dealing with similar cases frequently.
Justice Kayani remarked that the matter has troubled the government.
AGP Awan assured that all available resources would be used for the recovery.
The Islamabad Operations SSP told the court the police received a statement from the Ministry of Defence.
The judge asked if the statement was under Article 161.
Justice Kayani emphasized that the court would not interfere in police investigations.
The Interior secretary appeared in court, but the defence secretary was absent.
The petitioner’s counsel criticized the defence secretary’s absence.
Justice Kayani stated that everyone must appear when summoned by the court.
“If the prime minister can come to the court, then everyone can come,” the judge remarked.
He directed the defence secretary to appear in court at the next hearing.
The court adjourned the case until Friday.
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