The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday directed Islamabad Police to investigate the circumstances of the “recovery” of lawyer Intizar Panjotha, who was “rescued” from alleged abductors this weekend after being missing for nearly a month.
Resuming proceedings, IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq ordered Islamabad police to record Panjotha’s statement and proceed according to law. He observed that the lawyer, who police claimed to find traumatized in a car, needed a few days to recover from his ordeal prior to recording any statement.
During the proceedings, the chief justice expressed concern over the incident, emphasizing this should not happen in any civilized society. He urged the station house officer of Kohsar Police Station to ensure a thorough investigation and lamented the deterioration of Islamabad’s law and order, likening it to the unrest witnessed in Karachi for the past few decades.
“There is a serious need to address law and order here,” he said, adding the rise in missing persons cases and street crimes requires urgent corrective action.
As the hearing commenced, advocate Ali Bukhari informed the court that he had gone to the police station to receive Panjotha. He said the senior lawyer, who has been representing the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in various cases, was in poor physical condition and had visible signs of torture. He said he had not sought any explanation of Panjotha’s whereabouts owing to his condition, adding the lawyer was presently resting with his family in Lahore.
The additional attorney general meanwhile, informed the court that Attorney General for Pakistan Usman Awan had played a significant role in ensuring Panjotha’s recovery. However, he said, these efforts had been unfairly criticized by a certain section of the press and public. The chief justice commended the attorney general’s efforts and urged media to avoid negative campaigns.
The recovery petition filed by the PTI was subsequently closed, with the IHC ordering an investigation to fully explore Panjotha’s disappearance to ensure accountability and prevent similar incidents.
On Saturday, police announced Panjotha was rescued from Attock after an exchange of fire with the lawyer’s alleged abductors, who all fled the scene, abandoning their victim with his hands and feet tied up. Missing since Oct. 8, Panjotha told police—according to a video released of his rescue—he was held for ransom and was tortured. However, the PTI maintains no ransom demands were received and have accused the government and police of “staging” an encounter to “recover” the lawyer.