IHC orders missing PTI leader traced

The Islamabad High Court has directed the federal police to collaborate with the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) to locate Advocate Waiter Panjotha, a focal person for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan, who has been missing since October 8.

The court has demanded a comprehensive progress report on the investigation by October 21.

Chief Justice Amir Farooq presided over the hearing, emphasising the importance of finding Panjotha. The court ordered the senior superintendent of Islamabad police (SSP) to remain in close contact with Advocate Faisal Chaudhry and to provide relevant surveillance footage to the petitioner's legal team.

During the proceedings, Faisal Chaudhry, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Police Headquarters Mustafa Tanveer, and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Legal Sajid Cheema were present. The police reported that a vehicle linked to the case had been traced.

It was last seen in Islamabad, taking a turn from Rawal Dam Chowk towards Kashmir Chowk Srinagar Highway and heading in the direction of Fateh Jang Road. Further investigation is ongoing.

Chief Justice Farooq pressed for updates on the involvement of intelligence agencies. The deputy attorney general confirmed the submission of the ISI report, while reports from the IB and Military Intelligence (MI) were still awaited.