Missing PTI activist Azhar Mashwani returns home after eight days

Mashwani, PTI chief Imran Khan's focal person on social media, had gone missing from Lahore last week

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s focal person on social media, Azhar Mashwani, has returned safely home, the activist announced on Friday, eight days after he reportedly went missing from Lahore.

“Alhumdullilah I have just returned home safe and sound. Your prayers, efforts, and support in these eight days indebted us forever,” he wrote on his official Twitter handle.

He also prayed that other party workers also return their home soon and have iftar meal with their families.

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

The development comes a day after the Lahore High Court (LHC) ordered the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) ​​to recover Mashwani and produce him before court on April 3.

In the First Information Report (FIR) of the disappearance of the PTI activist, his brother Mazharul Hasan had stated that on Thursday (March 23) at 3:30 PM, Mashwani went missing after he left for Zaman Park from Lahore’s Township area in a cab and his mobile phone was also switched off after a while.

Also read: Amnesty raises concern over disappearance of PTI activist

The complainant said that, despite their efforts, no trace of Mashwani could be found. He had expressed apprehension that the victim was abducted by “unknown persons” with an intention to cause harm to his life.

Amnesty International on Wednesday had also raised concern over the disappearance of the PTI activist who was “arrested and abducted” last week.

The human rights group took to Twitter and said the organisation was “alarmed by reports of the enforced disappearance of Azhar Mashwani, whose whereabouts remain unknown”.

“Enforced disappearances have stained Pakistan's human rights record for decades and continue with impunity,” it added.