ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday while hearing a petition on recovery of a “missing” politician directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to issue arrest warrants for police officials allegedly involved in illegal detention of citizens.

The IHC had summoned the senior superintendent of police (SSP) on the petition seeking recovery of former member of the National Assembly (MNA) Sadaqat Abbasi, who belongs to the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI).

IHC Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri also issued a notice to the inspector general of police (IGP) Islamabad and sought a report from him on the matter. The court directed the IGP to take up the matter with the interior and defence ministries and submit their responses in the report.

The habeas corpus petition had been filed by Usman Ghani Sadaqat, the brother of the ex-MNA. The petitioner stated before the court that unknown persons had “kidnapped” his brother from outside the Parliament Lodges and requested the court to direct the authorities to produce him. The court adjourned further hearing for this matter till Tuesday (today).

Meanwhile, IHC Justice Babar Sattar also directed the FIA to proceed against officials of Islamabad Police for illegally detaining the citizens.

He was hearing the case related to allegations against the police officials for detaining the citizens and seeking ransom for their release. The FIA informed the court that the accused police officials were not cooperating with the investigation team after which Justice Sattar directed the FIA to issue arrest warrants, if the suspects were not joining the investigation.

The legal adviser of the Islamabad Police Tahir Kazim informed the court that the IGP had already suspended four police personnel, including an assistant sub-inspector, who were involved in the crime, and proceedings against them were underway at three forums. He further told the court that the deputy inspector general (operations) is conducting an inquiry in this matter.

Published in Dawn, September 5th, 2023