AJK man in army custody for ‘espionage’

IHC told Khawaja Khurshid was retired military man

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court on Monday was informed that the ‘missing’ Azad Jammu and Kashmir citizen, Khawaja Khurshid, was a retired military man and currently in the custody of the army over charges of espionage.

Additional Attorney General Munawar Iqbal Dogal submitted the reply to the IHC on behalf of the defence ministry on a petition filed in connection with the disappearance of Khurshid, after which the court disposed of the plea.

IHC’s Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani presided over the hearing.

On the IHC’s notice, the defence ministry’s director legal also appeared before the court.

Justice Kayani remarked that at least the missing person had been located.

He directed the petitioner’s lawyer to move the relevant forum now.

The petitioner’s lawyer sought a copy of the defence ministry’s response filed in the court.

After receiving the defence ministry and AAG’s reports on Khurshid, the court wrapped up the case.

During the previous hearing, the court ordered the defence ministry to submit its report with the signatures of the ISI and MI sector commanders.

Police and the FIA submitted their reports to the court.

The lawyer representing the government told the court that the police had not registered any case against Khurshid.

Justice Kayani inquired about the defence ministry’s report.

In response, the representative for the defence ministry sought more time from the court, saying that they had received the notice only a day earlier.

Justice Kayani remarked that the defence secretary seemed to be unaware of the situation.

He added that if Khurshid was involved in any terrorist, criminal or anti-state activity, appropriate action should be taken against him and nobody would then object to it.