Mashwani's brothers' case: ‘Missing hostages not with any agency

Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) directed Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Usman Awan to submit a detailed report on the missing persons in the case of recovery of the missing brothers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) social media activist Azhar Mashwani said that the two missing hostages are not with any agency.

Chief Justice IHC Aamer Farooq heard the case and the Attorney General appeared in the court.

At the beginning of the hearing, the AGP Mansoor said that the matter has been placed before the higher authorities, and the two missing hostages were not with any agency. ‘Dr Babar Awan share the information with me, we will see more’.

The court inquired from where they disappear, to which the lawyer petitioner Babar replied that they went missing from Lahore, we were contacted, and the agencies said that they were with them. Azhar Mashwani's wife was prevented from going abroad and he was told that he should delete if he had some material and he would not tweet in the future.

Later, Babar Awan read out the documents and said that we first approached the Lahore High Court (LHC) and then withdrew from there and filed the application here.

Babar Awan stated that Mashwani family received a phone call saying that he is from such and such institution and put three demands to delete the tweet and never post a tweet again. After that, we withdrew the request from the LHC and came to Islamabad. There are two ways to proceed, if you say that there is no relief from here, then? Two of your judgments came.

On this, Justice Aamer Farooq said: “I did not ask about the boundaries, but where they went missing because I want to see whether I have jurisdiction or not”. The Attorney General said that none of the agencies have them, but he is trying. He is a high and responsible official and should do something soon.

Justice Aamer remarked that the Attorney General has given a clear statement that the agencies do not have the abductee. On this, the AGP said that I would tell Dr. I am personally looking into the matter.

Chief Justice IHC said that the AGP is the highest law officer and his statement is important. The Attorney General further said that all institutions are working on it and all resources are being utilized.

On this occasion, the court remarked that they should report on what the police, Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) are doing. Mansoor Usman replied that they would give a report and all the agencies are working on this case.

During the hearing, Dr Babar Awan raised the issue of Katcha area robbers in the court.

He said that the dacoits of Katcha made a YouTube channel and asked to subscribe. The Chief Justice remarked that the situation in South Punjab and other areas is very bad. We have been watching and listening to dacoits of Katcha since childhood.

Later, the Attorney General said that he was personally trying for this, he has respect for the Dr as well, and are using all the resources.

Along with this, the court ordered the Attorney General to submit a detailed report on the missing persons to the court.

Lawyer Babar Awan said that today 85 days have passed, so how can they say that they do not know? The Chief Justice spoke to the Attorney General that he should continue his efforts and if there is any progress, inform the court.

Later, the court adjourned the hearing of the case till next week.

It is [pertinent to note that on August 27, the IHC granted more respite to Attorney General Mansoor Usman in the case of recovery of the missing brothers of PTI social media in-charge Azhar Mashwani.