Abducted family returns home

‘Suspicious’ handling of the case had drawn LHC Pindi Bench’s ire

RAWALPINDI:

After enduring an 11-day ordeal, a family that was abducted from the Sadiqabad area in Rawalpindi has finally returned home.

Initially, the police failed to register a case despite reports of the abduction, prompting Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi Bench Judge Justice Sadaqat Ali Khan to give a 10-day deadline to Rawalpindi RPO Syed Khurram Ali to ensure the safe recovery of the family.

The court had expressed surprise at the delay in registering the abduction case.

According to the sources, the kidnapped family consisted of two women, the same number of children, and men.

The case came to the spotlight when Ejaz Ahmed, the family's head, approached Punjab IG Dr Usman Anwar for the recovery of his family members.

In his complaint, he stated that on August 29, 2023 at around 3am, 12 to 15 armed men forcibly entered their house and abducted his nephew, Haroon Ishtiaq, along with his wife, brother, and children. A similar abduction took place at Haroon Chowk where two persons were kidnapped by the same assailants.

A women was later released due to her poor health. He further said they reported the matter to the Sadiqabad police station, but no action was taken.

The complainant also raised suspicions that his nephew, Haroon Ishtiaq, was abducted due to a business dispute with Syed Muhammad Ali. He alleged that Muhammad Ali had Sadiqabad Police Station SHO Mohammad Gul Taj and others’ support.

The complainant confirmed to The Express Tribune on Friday that all family members, including his nephew, have safely returned home. He expressed frustration with the suspicious conduct of the police in handling the abduction case.

Despite efforts to seek help from Rawalpindi CPO Syed Khalid Hamdani and RPO Syed Khurram Ali, no police officer cooperated, he alleged.

Consequently, he was compelled to file a complaint with Punjab IG Dr Muhammad Usman Anwar.

Ejaz Ahmed expressed gratitude that, thanks to the LHC’s Rawalpindi Bench’s strict orders, all family members have returned home safely.

Multiple attempts were made to contact Punjab IG, Rawalpindi CPO, and RPO but all in vain.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 9^th, 2023.