November 4, 2024
By Rehan Piracha
LAHORE
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ordered an investigation into the abrupt disappearance and subsequent recovery of Intazar Hussain Panjutha, a key lawyer for the former prime minister Imran Khan. The circumstances surrounding the lawyer’s sudden recovery after 26 days remains shrouded in doubt.
Panjutha had vanished mysteriously from Islamabad on October 8. His disappearance sparked widespread condemnation and accusations of an enforced disappearance by state security agencies.
Punjutha’s recovery occurred a day after Attorney General Mansoor Awan assured the IHC that the lawyer would be recovered within 24 hours.
Police claim that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) lawyer was recovered from Attock on November 2, while his abductors were allegedly transporting him. Police intercepted a suspicious vehicle in Hassan Abdal area and recovered the lawyer. According to the police, armed individuals who were with Panjutha opened fire at police from within the car and fled.
Videos emerged showing Panjutha sitting in the backseat of a car, handcuffed from behind. Another footage shows Panjutha, visibly distressed and injured, narrating a harrowing tale of abduction and torture. “I was abducted on October 8 and my kidnappers tortured me, demanding Rs 20 million in ransom,” Panjutha says to a police official (not seen in the video).
The PTI leaders say Panjutha is a victim of enforced disappearance and his recovery was staged, alleging that the PTI lawyer was coerced into making false statements.
Party members express outrage
In a video message posted on X, Salman Akram Raja, the secretary general of PTI, said Panjutha was one of Khan’s key lawyers in his ongoing legal battles. He (Panjutha) was recovered last night in an encounter that was a clear hoax, Raja said.
Intazar Punjotha Adv, key member of PM Imran Khan's legal team, was abducted 4 weeks ago by those who abduct. He was recovered last night in an encounter that was a clear hoax. His condition, that spoke of the horror he had endured, was filmed & spread to cause fear. pic.twitter.com/q0BK9On4sU
— salman akram raja (@salmanAraja) November 3, 2024
“His condition speaks of the horror he (Panjutha) had endured, the incident was filmed and spread to cause fear,” the PTI leader said. “Intazar Panjutha’s abduction tells us all that we are slaves. Any one of us can go missing and the courts can merely watch, helplessly. Abduction and torture are the supreme ‘law’ of the land,” Raja said in his video message.
PTI leader Shaukat Basra, speaking as a guest on a current affairs show on November 3, said the party had rejected the video footage and viewed it as ‘scripted drama’.
“We demand action against those who abducted him [Mr Panjutha] on October 8 from Islamabad, and those who made these videos are all part of the abduction and cover-up,” he said.
Basra questioned how the attorney general had given a statement in court that Panjutha would be produced within 24 hours.
Hammad Azhar, another PTI leader, also rubbished police claims.
“The scripted pathetic manner in which Imran Khan’s lawyer Intezar Panjutha has been ‘recovered’ (read released) is shameful. The traumatised individual was presumably forced to give a false account of his abduction even during his fragile state,” he posted on social media site X.
Investigation ordered
Meanwhile, IHC Chief Justice Chief Justice Aamer Farooq directed the Station House Officer (SHO) of Kohsar police station to investigate Panjutha’s ‘recovery’. The IHC has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident of abduction and alleged torture of the lawyer.
Chief Justice Aamer Farooq, who presided over the hearing on November 4, expressed deep concern over the incident, stating that such occurrences are unacceptable in a civilized society. He directed the SHO to contact Panjutha within the next few days to ensure a comprehensive investigation. The court’s directive came after Panjutha was recovered on November 2, following his disappearance on October 8th. Chief Justice Farooq also voiced concerns about the deteriorating law and order situation in Islamabad, citing recent incidents of extortion threats. He likened the situation to Karachi’s crime problems and emphasized the urgent need to address these issues.
The Additional Attorney General informed the court that Panjutha’s recovery was facilitated by the efforts of the Attorney General Mansoor Awan. However, the Chief Justice urged against negative campaigns, acknowledging the Attorney General’s contributions. While the IHC closed the petition related to Panjutha’s recovery, it stressed the importance of a full investigation to determine the circumstances of his abduction and to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Presiding over a hearing of petition relating to Panjutha’s disappearance, IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq ordered the Islamabad police to record his statement and proceed according to the law.
During the proceedings on November 4, Chief Justice Farooq expressed concern over the incident, stating that such occurrences should not happen in a civilised society.
The court urged the Kohsar SHO to contact Panjotha within the next few days to ensure a thorough investigation. The lawyer’s recovery was confirmed earlier by Advocate Ali Bukhari, who detailed how Panjotha had been found in poor physical condition, raising alarm about his wellbeing. Chief Justice Farooq also criticised Islamabad’s deteriorating law and order, noting recent reports of extortion threats in the capital, likening it to Karachi’s crime issues.
“There is a serious need to address law and order here,” he said, adding that the rise in missing persons and street crimes calls for urgent action.
Additional Attorney General informed the court that Panjutha’s recovery was achieved through the efforts of the Attorney General, though these efforts had been unfairly criticised.
Chief Justice Farooq commended the Attorney General’s attempts, cautioning against negative campaigns.
The IHC subsequently closed the recovery petition, though it highlighted that the investigation should fully explore Panjotha’s disappearance to ensure accountability and prevent similar incidents.