LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday summoned the inspector general of police (IGP) on a petition for the recovery of ‘abducted’ journalist and YouTuber Shakir Mehmood Awan.

Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh also directed the Punjab Safe City Authority to present the CCTV footage of the journalist’s abduction from his residence.

Earlier, Additional IGP Shehzada Sultan appeared before the court accompanied by a provincial law officer.

The government lawyer presented a copy of the FIR related to Awan’s abduction registered by South Cantt police against unidentifi ed persons.

Appearing on behalf of the journalist’s mother, Advocate Azhar Siddique criticised the police, saying registering an FIR did not absolve the police of responsibility to recover the petitioner’s son.

The judge questioned the additional IGP about the whereabouts of IGP Usman Anwar.

Mr Sultan responded that the IGP was in Islamabad. He stated that an FIR had been registered and police were investigating the matter.

In the second phase of the hearing, the judge reminded the safe city authority’s chief executive officer that he was instructed to present the footage. However, the officer said it would take some time to collect the footage.

The government lawyer said all orders of the court were being complied with. Justice Sheikh retorted, “You are not complying with the court’s orders.”

The judge adjourned further hearing till Dec 2 with a direction to the IGP to appear in person with a progress report on recovery of the petitioner’s on.

BAIL EXTENDED: An anti-terrorism court on Friday extended the interim pre-arrest bail of PTI MPA Imtiaz Mahmood Sheikh till Dec 6 in three cases of May 9 riots and granted the defence lawyer a final opportunity to present arguments.

MPA Sheikh appeared before the court on expiry of his interim bail period. During the hearing, police informed the court that a joint investigation team (JIT) probing the May 9 incidents had found the PTI leader guilty in the Askari Tower attack case.

The police further stated that the lawmaker had not joined the investigation of the other two cases registered against him.

ATC-I Judge Manzer Ali Gul directed the defence counsel to complete arguments in the Askari Tower attack case, as the investigation in this matter had been finalised.

However, the counsel requested more time, citing the unavailability of the lead counsel.

Accepting the request, the judge granted a final opportunity for arguments till the next hearing. The judge also instructed the MPA to cooperate in the investigation of the case involving the burning of police vehicles near Jinnah House. He warned if the suspect fails to join the investigation, the court will decide the bail plea based on the available record.

Published in Dawn, November 30th, 2024