'Abducted' YouTuber returns home

Lawyer announced on X that Aun Ali Khosa had been released

LAHORE:

YouTuber Aun Ali Khosa, who was reportedly abducted on August 15, has safely returned home, his counsel confirmed on Monday.

Last Friday, the Lahore High Court (LHC) directed the Punjab Police to ensure Khosa's recovery by August 20. The LHC issued this order while hearing a petition filed by Khosa's wife, Binish Iqbal, who claimed that her husband was in the "unlawful and illegal custody of law enforcement authorities."

Binish had expressed grave concerns about her husband's safety, fearing that he was a victim of enforced disappearance. According to the petition, Khosa, a well-known digital content creator with 137,000 YouTube subscribers, was taken from his apartment in the early hours of August 15.

Around a dozen police officers and unidentified men in plain clothes reportedly forced entry into Khosa's residence, seizing his phone, laptop, computer system, and digital camera.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) voiced alarm over Khosa's alleged abduction, suggesting it might be linked to his videos criticizing the authorities. The HRCP called for his immediate recovery.

Shortly after midnight on Monday, Khosa's lawyer, Khadija Siddiqi, announced on X that Khosa had been released and was back home. Another of his lawyers, Mian Ali Ashfaq, also confirmed Khosa's safe return, stating that he had spoken to him in detail.

"Alhamdulillah, he is courageous, safe, and determined," Ashfaq said, thanking Khadija Siddiqi for her support and representation.

In a separate post, Khadija Siddiqi condemned the recurring pattern of abductions, noting that over the past two months, they had fought numerous missing persons cases at the LHC, including Khosa's.

She described the abduction method as involving masked men breaking into homes at night, confiscating electronic devices, and harassing the victims before returning them after court intervention.

Khadija Siddiqi expressed hope that these practices would end, urging that those who have violated the law be prosecuted through the courts.