The Lahore High Court (LHC) has directed Punjab Inspector General Dr Usman Anwar to provide an update on the progress made in locating anchorperson Imran Riaz Khan by 12 pm tomorrow (Friday).
Imran Riaz Khan was apprehended on May 11 at Sialkot airport during the violent protests that erupted following the arrest of PTI Chairman Imran Khan. However, his whereabouts have remained unknown for a week.
The LHC had previously ordered for Riaz to be brought before the court, but the Sialkot police failed to comply with the directive. Consequently, the police were given a 48-hour deadline to find and recover Riaz.
On the complaint of Imran’s father, Muhammad Riaz, the Civil Lines police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against unidentified individuals and police officials, invoking Section 365 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which deals with the kidnapping or abduction of a person with the intention to confine them secretly and unlawfully.
Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti presided over the single-judge bench, with Advocate Azhar Siddique representing Imran Riaz Khan as his counsel.
Expressing his dissatisfaction over the progress made by police, the justice adjourned the hearing till 12pm tomorrow.
During the hearing, the judge expressed his dissatisfaction with Sialkot District Police Officer (DPO) Mohammad Hasan Iqbal’s handling of the case.
The judge criticized the police for their lack of progress, stating that they had not taken sufficient action and had only assigned a sub-inspector to the investigation.
The judge reminded the DPO that he had previously assured the court of reviewing the case and conducting a thorough investigation within 48 hours. However, the judge pointed out that the police seemed to have done little beyond writing letters to agencies and neglecting their responsibilities.
The judge emphasized that the case was high-profile and demanded more attention.
In response, the DPO claimed that the police were making their best efforts, but the judge expressed his dissatisfaction with their performance.
Riaz’s lawyer told the court that no progress was made to make the recovery and the police had simply given false hopes.
Justice Bhatti observed, “If Imran Riaz has done anything wrong, then you may file a case. We will not stop you (police).” The DPO then apprised the court that it had formed a special team on the matter.
Meanwhile, Riaz’s lawyer requested the court to summon the Punjab IG and a “responsible officer” of an intelligence agency for “assistance” with the case.
The LHC chief justice then told the state attorney, “You can write to the government to constitute a JIT (joint investigation team). Why should we call an agency? What do we have to do with them? This is the government’s duty — you may coordinate with them.
The LHC subsequently summoned the Punjab IG, provincial home secretary and additional chief secretary within two hours.
After the summoned parties appeared in the court, Justice Bhatti addressed Punjab IG Dr Anwar. “IG sahib, what is this matter?” “We will have to work on this matter,” the police chief replied.
“[Riaz’s] car did not come on the motorway. I have spoken to the ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence) and the IB (Intelligence Bureau) — kindly allow some time,” he said.
“We are looking at the matter in a scientific manner. We can constitute a special team. I have talked to the sector commander. If needed, I will also meet him again.”
Justice Bhatti then remarked, “These are the only agencies at our disposal to whom we can ask to take others onboard and recover the person.”
The Punjab IG then informed the court that the ISI was assisting the police on the matter. The LHC then directed the IG to submit the progress made on the case by 12pm tomorrow (Friday) and adjourned the hearing.
