IHC summons interior, defence secretaries in missing poet's case
Pakistan
Iman Mazari says it's a case of enforced disappearance, not kidnapping
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday summoned interior and defence secretaries in a case related to disappearance of poet Ahmed Farhad.
Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani heard the case while Iman Mazari represented Farhad’s wife who is the petitioner in the case. Representatives of Ministry of Defence and other authorities also attended the hearing.
During the hearing, Mazari informed court that her client received an anonymous WhatsApp call through which she was told that her husband would return home in a week if she withdraws the petition. “It is clearly a case of enforced disappearance as ransom would have been demanded in case of kidnap,” she argued.
Justice Kayani remarked that the abducted person must be recovered at any cost. He also warned of issuing arrest warrants for secretary defence if he fails to appear before court.
Later, the high court took a short break. A representative of the defence ministry appeared before Justice Kayani after the break and informed him that Farhad was not in custody of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). He added that the spy agency has rejected the allegation.
The IHC judge remarked that the institutions were expressing their failure, adding: “Now the matter has gone beyond their jurisdictions.”
He also sought a written report from the defence secretary and ordered him and the secretary interior to appear in court.
Justice Kayani said this was not a simple and easy matter, adding that an example had to be set in this case.
He said messages were being sent to the family but they were denying Farhad's custody.
Later, the high court adjourned the case till May 21.
