IHC raises alarm over Islamabad’s safety

The capital’s high court has expressed concern about worsening law and order situation in Islamabad, noting that the federal capital once regarded as one of the most peaceful cities of the country was now turning into another Karachi.

“What once happened in Karachi is now happening in Islamabad. One of my own acquaintances has received chits demanding extortion money,” Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Aamer Farooq said on Monday.

Justice Farooq was hearing a case related to alleged abduction of PTI’s lawyer Intizar Panjutha. Kidnapped from Islamabad on October 8, Panjutha was rescued in Attock on November 2 after a dramatic encounter between the alleged abductors and police.

Panjhutha’s counsel Ali Bukhari Advocate told the bench that the PTI leader had been rescued but he was still under the shock. He said Panjhutha is currently in Lahore.

The IHC chief justice noted that in view of the PTI leader’s mental state the police should take his statement after a few days and take action as per law. Justice Farooq said he saw the news about Intizar Panjutha on TV, and it was very disturbing.

“What happened to him should not have happened, and it is not something that can be tolerated. Freedom of expression should allow people to criticize the government, but this was unacceptable. Such incidents do not happen in civilized societies.”

Addressing Additional Attorney General Munawar Iqbal Dogal, he asked why are cases of missing persons happening.“Even if we treat this as kidnapping for ransom, such incidents should still be prevented. These incidents are a source of embarrassment for institutions and everyone involved. Cases of missing persons and street crime have significantly increased.”

PTI’s Shoaib Shaheen Advocate stated that crimes were increasing in the federal capital as all the state agencies were busy pursuing political people. 
“If all state agencies are focused on people like me as if we were terrorists, street crime will naturally increase,” he said.

Referring to the rescue of Panjutha, Dogal said the attorney-general for Pakistan made a sincere effort for tracing the PTI leader but it was taken negatively.  Shoaib Shaheen, however, argued that questions naturally arose as the lawyer was recovered within 24 hours after the AGP made a commitment.

The CJ, however, asked the PTI counsels not to criticize personalities. “Criticize the judiciary if you must, but law officers are here today and gone tomorrow. There should not be a negative campaign against the attorney general. Criticize our decisions, not individuals,” he said.