ISLAMABAD: Last week, Kashmiri poet and journalist Ahmed Farhad Shah was abducted from his home. In response, his wife filed a petition with the Islamabad High Court on May 15, seeking his safe return and holding accountable those responsible. Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani of the Islamabad High Court raised concerns about the balance of power between intelligence agencies and the law while addressing the failure to locate Shah.
During the hearing, a representative from the Ministry of Defence informed the court that Shah was not in the custody of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), denying any involvement in his disappearance. This response prompted Justice Kayani to remark that the situation had escalated beyond the purview of the ISI and Military Intelligence (MI), highlighting their failure in the matter.
In response, Justice Kayani instructed the defence secretary to provide a written report to the court and summoned both defence and interior secretaries to appear before him. He emphasized the seriousness of the case, indicating his intention to call Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and cabinet members to testify later.
Expressing skepticism, the judge noted contradictions in the messages conveyed by intelligence agencies to the family regarding Shah’s whereabouts and criticized the law enforcement agencies for their inability to locate him.
He also questioned the authority and actions of the sector commander, emphasizing the need for adherence to constitutional limits. Justice Kayani directed the investigation officer to record the sector commander’s statement and submit it to the court promptly.
Furthermore, the judge asserted that if Shah were found to be involved in terrorism or implicated in any case, the petition would be dismissed. Meanwhile, an additional attorney general informed the court that an FIR had been lodged, and the police were conducting investigations.
In response, Justice Kayani reminded the attorney of the police’s duty, implying that lodging an FIR was a basic obligation. The court’s proceedings reflect a growing urgency for accountability and transparency in cases of enforced disappearances, with Justice Kayani emphasizing the need for stringent laws to address such grave violations of human rights.
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