Panjutha's active SIM traced, IGP tells court

ISLAMABAD:

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi told the Islamabad High Court (IHC) that the telephone SIM card of Intizar Panjutha Advocate, missing focal person of Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf founder, was active.

A hearing was conducted by Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Aamir Farooq on a plea seeking recovery of Intizar Panjutha. The IGP Islamabad and the IB officer appeared before the court.

During the hearing, the IGP Islamabad told the court that three SIMs were registered in the name of Panjutha and the location of one of the SIMs shows Peshawar. This SIM was activated on October 10, with data indicating eight incoming messages and two outgoing ones. The outgoing messages were sent to PTI leader Barrister Saif, who has been asked to join the investigation to disclose the content of the messages.

The IHC CJ inquired if the telecos maintain a record of text messages. The IB officer responded by saying the companies do not provide message content, but in certain cases, they provide the text on request.

The IGP told the court that one of their teams is in Peshawar and the other is in Attock. The CJ directed the IGP to order Peshawar team to take statement of Barrister Saif. The top cop told the court Barrister Saif is wanted to the federal capital police and he is a minister in the K-P cabinet.

The petitioner's counsel said the other organizations should also be engaged for the recovery of Panjutha, adding he has been missing for 15 days.

The IGP told the court that reports from defence and interior ministries have been submitted. The court directed the attorney general to appear on Wednesday (today) and adjourned the hearing.