Mashwani returns home after eight-day long disappearance  

Karachi: Azhar Mashwani, the social media head of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) political party, has returned home after being missing for a week. His wife had written a letter to the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Umar Ata Bandial, requesting his help in finding her husband. Mashwani announced his return on his Twitter account, expressing his gratitude and hoping for the re-union of other PTI workers with their families who he believed were still being held captive.

الحمدللہ میں ابھی بخیر و عافیت گھر واپس پہنچ چکا ہوں

ان 8 دنوں میں آپ کی دعاؤں، کاوشوں اور سپورٹ نے تاعمر کے لیے ہمیں مقروض کر دیا ہے - جزاک اللہ 🙏🏼

دعا ہے کہ ہمارے دیگر اسیر کارکنان بھی جلد اپنی فیملیز کے ساتھ افطاری کریں۔

— Azhar Mashwani (@MashwaniAzhar) March 31, 2023

Earlier, the Lahore High Court had ordered the authorities to produce Mashwani and present the record of the case registered against him. PTI Chairman Imran Khan condemned the incident and accused the Islamabad and Punjab police of violating the law. In response, Khan called for countrywide protests on Friday in support of Mashwani's release.

Mashwani's disappearance had raised concerns about the safety of political workers in Pakistan, particularly those affiliated with the PTI. The party has faced numerous challenges in recent years, including allegations of election rigging, corruption, and the suppression of dissenting voices.

The safe return of Mashwani is a positive development for the PTI, which has been struggling to maintain its political momentum in the face of these challenges. However, the situation highlights the ongoing political tensions and the need for greater protections for political workers in Pakistan.