IHC summons IGP Islamabad, criticises lack of investigation in missing citizen case

Justice Babar Sattar summoned IG Islamabad, criticised the police for not investigating the missing citizen case.

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The Islamabad High Court has summoned the Inspector General (IG) of Islamabad in the case of missing citizen Faizan.

Justice Babar Sattar presided over the hearing, following a petition filed by Faizan’s father, Usman Khan.

The petitioner’s legal team, including Imaan Mazari and Hadi Chattha, along with state counsel and police officials, were present before the court.

During the proceedings, the petitioner’s lawyer informed the court that Faizan had been released on Monday morning.

In response, the court questioned the police officials about whether any investigation had been conducted regarding Faizan’s disappearance, asking who had taken him and where he had been held. The police replied that no investigation had been carried out yet, though a video had surfaced online.

Expressing displeasure at the lack of investigation, the court inquired about the source of the video upload.

The police stated they had contacted IT experts regarding the matter. Justice Babar Sattar criticised the authorities, noting that four days had passed with no progress in the investigation.

The court has adjourned the hearing, summoning IG Islamabad for further proceedings.

Previously, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) had set a deadline of September 10 for the recovery of 18-year-old Faizan Usman, who had been missing from the federal capital for two months.

The court was hearing the plea for Faizan Usman's recovery, but despite previous orders, he has yet to be produced before the court.

Islamabad IG Ali Nasir Rizvi informed the court that he had met with Faizan's father and reviewed footage related to the incident.

The footage shows vehicles and masked individuals, but the faces in the second footage remain unclear.

The IHC had directed that the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) be made a party in the case concerning the recovery of missing citizen Faizan Usman.

The court had also instructed the ISI's sector commander to assist the Inspector General of Islamabad in the investigation.

The court emphasised the need for swift action, instructing the Inspector General to trace the missing person's phone number and vehicle.

The petitioner's account detailed a harrowing ordeal, describing how unknown individuals entered his home, conducted a search, and took his son away, allegedly due to suspected connections with a proscribed organisation.