June 21, 2024
By Bilal Baseer
ISLAMABAD
The Islamabad High Court on Friday heard the petition for the recovery of Kashmiri political leader Khawaja Khurshid. During the hearing, the state counsel conveyed to the court that Khurshid faced no charges from the police, FIA or CTD.
Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, during the proceedings sought information about the report from the ministry of defence. The representative from the ministry stated that the notice had been received a day before – and requested more time from the court.
Muhammad Ibrar Khawaja, the petitioner’s lawyer, while speaking to Voicepk, elaborated on the court proceedings while highlighting that the ministry of defence representative was directed to seek signed reports from ISI and MI sector commanders in Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Muzaffarabad by Monday.
Another petitioner’s lawyer, Mushaid Hussain argued in court that more than two weeks had passed and a citizen of Azad Kashmir has been missing from Islamabad. The missing person has children. His family is distressed.
Petitioner Khaliqa Khawaja told Voicepk that their family spent the last Eid waiting for their father.
The representative of the ministry of defence requested the court for time until Monday, to which Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani remarked that the secretary of defence seemed unaware of the situation. He said that the report should be filed with the signatures of ISI and MI sector commanders by Monday, as it would be 21 days since Khalid Khurshid’s disappearance.
The court adjourned the hearing until June 24.
Meanwhile, human rights organisations demanded that the state immediately recover Khawaja Khurshid to ensure the protection of basic human rights.