RAWALPINDI: Inamur Rahim, a lawyer and retired colonel, was abducted by unidentified individuals from his home in Askari 14 on Adiala Road at midnight on Tuesday.

His son, Hasnain Inam, told Morgah police that someone rang the doorbell of their home at around 12:30am. He said he asked who was there before unlocking door, and the person on the other side identified himself as ‘Ali’.

He said that when he unlocked the front door, he saw eight to 10 people in black uniforms with a Pakistani flag stitched on their arms who forced their way into the house.

He said he was overpowered after being pushed away by two people, and one person put his hand over his mouth.

The men then searched every room and forced Mr Rahim into a black pick-up truck at gunpoint and drove away.

Mr Inam said in his complaint that he was also threatened with kidnapping if he told anyone what had happened.

The Morgah police have received the complaint regarding Mr Rahim’s abduction, but his family has not been given a formal FIR.

Mr Rahim’s abduction has been condemned by Syed Amjad Shah and Sher Mohammad Khan, the vice chairman and chairman of the Pakistan Bar Council executive committee.

In a statement issued on the incident, they said: “We strongly condemn the kidnapping of Col (R) Inam-ur-Rahim, advocate yesterday midnight, by about 8/10 unknown armed persons in uniforms, from his residence at Askari 14, Adyala Road, Rawalpindi.”

The statement said Mr Rahim was being victimised for raising his voice and protesting missing persons cases and approaching the courts for their safe recovery.

“We, therefore, demand the government and other concerned institutions/agencies for forthwith release of Col. (R) Inam-ur-Rahim, advocate and taking action against the kidnappers for their having violated the law to deprive a retired army officer from his right of liberty and life as well as lawful activity for protection of human rights and thus putting his life in danger,” the statement said.

Published in Dawn, December 18th, 2019

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