Court summons prisons IG over missing ex-jailer

RAWALPINDI:

The Lahore High Court's Rawalpindi Bench has issued notices to the Punjab prisons inspector general and the city police officer in relation to the case of former Adiala Jail Deputy Superintendent Muhammad Akram, who has been missing for 48 days.

The court has summoned the officials to appear on October 7, expressing concern over the prolonged absence of an officer.

During the proceedings, the court questioned the rationale behind dismissing an officer who had been missing for over a month. The public prosecutor informed the court that Akram was dismissed due to his alleged involvement in a murder that occurred in the jail.

The court subsequently ordered officials from the Ministry of Defense and the Interior Ministry to submit affidavits regarding Akram's status.

Advocate Iman Zainab Mazari, representing the petitioner, claimed in court that misinformation had circulated regarding Akram's return home, contributing to confusion surrounding the case.

The court also dismissed the public prosecutor's request to refrain from summoning the Punjab prisons IG and the CPO for the upcoming hearing. The proceedings took place at the Lahore High Court Rawalpindi Bench, where a report from the prison administration was presented. This report indicated that arrangements were made to provide housing for Akram's family in the Adiala Jail colony, following his dismissal connected to the murder inquiry.