The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has directed the Kohsar police station to investigate the case involving the recovery of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawyer and party Founder Imran Khan's focal person Intizar Panjotha, whose recent disappearance sparked concern.
IHC Chief Justice Aamir Farooq disposed of the petition regarding the recovery of Panjotha, and emphasized the need for accountability and action in such cases of disappearance.
The CJ told the Kohsar station house officer to record the statement of Intizar Panjotha and take action as per law. "I saw [news] related to Panjotha on TV and I felt really bad," he remarked, calling it a matter of shame for the institution and all the people.
During the hearing, Chief Justice Farooq also expressed disappointment over the rising incidents of missing persons and street crimes in Islamabad, likening the security situation in the capital to that of Karachi. "My own acquaintances have received extortion demands in Islamabad," the CJ remarked.
PTI lawyer Shoaib Shaheen taunted that robberies and crimes will increase when law enforcement will be preoccupied with "terrorists" like himself. "The attorney general made an effort, he is a law officer, there should be no negative campaign against him," he added.
Chief Justice Farooq then instructed the Kohsar police station’s station house officer (SHO) to meet with Panjotha within the next two days to record his statement and proceed with further investigation in accordance with the law. The SHO was also advised to consider Panjotha’s mental and physical well-being following his recovery, as reported by his counsel, who noted that Panjotha was in poor condition upon release. The police was advised to investigate the matter fully after a few days.
"These things should be seen at this level. This should not have happened," CJ Farooq remarked.
Panjotha's lawyer Ali Bukhari told the court that such incidents can happen to anyone tomorrow, so it should be looked into.
The chief justice called upon the additional attorney general to address the recurring issue of missing persons, urging preventive measures against future incidents. "In a civilized society there should be freedom of expression," he stressed.
