ISLAMABAD: Irked by the failure of law enforcers to produce Murad Akbar, the brother of a former PM’s aide, before court on Friday, a judge of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) summoned the heads of capital police and Rangers besides interior secretary on Monday (June 5) and warned that the court may summon the interior minister and prime minister if the authorities failed to recover him.

The warning came from Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani at the hearing of a petition seeking the recovery of the brother of Shahzad Akbar, who according to an FIR lodged by his son had been ‘abducted’ from his house by people in uniform and plainclothes last month.

The former aide to ex-PM Imran Khan is in the limelight these days for being allegedly involved in a mega scandal involving PTI government’s ‘secret deal’ with real estate tycoon Malik Riaz that caused a loss of millions of pounds to the national exchequer.

At the outset of the hearing, Advocate General, Islamabad, Barrister Jahangir Khan Jadoon apprised the court that the brother of former PM’s aide was not in the police custody. The law officer sought more time to trace the whereabouts of Mr Akbar.

Law enforcers’ denial regarding detention of brother of former PM’s aide irks court

The DIG (Operations) contended that no official of Pakistan Rangers, counterterrorism department or Islamabad police was involved in the alleged incident.

Irked by the government response, the judge remarked that those who ‘abducted’ him could be seen in CCTV footage, adding that the vehicles and the abductors would face consequences once they would be identified.

The aspect “prima facie reflects that some organised gang is operating in Islamabad, wearing the official uniforms of law enforcement agencies and engaged in criminal activities,” he remarked.

In the order sheet, the judge directed the interior secretary, Rangers director general, and IGP Islamabad to appear in person on June 5.

The judge expressed displeasure over millions of rupees Safe City Project, termed it “useless” and criticised certain quarters for making and uploading “personal videos” of people but not acting against thieves and dacoits.

He warned of issuing show-cause notice to DG Rangers if the court would find his response unsatisfactory.

He also said if Murad Akbar was not recovered by next date, he would issue summons for Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah and then for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

According to an FIR registered with the Shalimar police station, Mr Akbar was ‘abducted’ from his F-10/4 residence. Thirty people in Islamabad police and Rangers uniforms and some in civil dress barged into his house on May 28 and took him away, it said.

Published in Dawn, June 3rd, 2023