Reply sought on plea for recovery of journalist

Justice Ali Baqar Najafi of the Lahore High Court (LHC) has sought a reply from the District Police Officer of Sialkot concerning a plea for the recovery of missing journalist Rana Shahid Mahmood.

The plea was submitted by Rana Fraz Shahid, the journalist's son, who stated that his father went missing from Sambrial.

Rana Shahid is the chairman of the Sambrial Press Club.

Previously, the court had directed the police to produce Rana Shahid. However, the police reported that they have been unable to locate him so far, citing ongoing efforts including geo-fencing and awaiting a forensic report on CCTV footage.

The petitioner highlighted that his father, as a journalist, had reported against drug dealers.

He emphasized that the CCTV footage provided to the police could aid in the investigation and urged the court to order his father's recovery.

The journalist was reportedly kidnapped at midnight on July 1, 2024, from a local café in Sambrial. His son approached the court, saying unknown individuals had abducted his father.