LHC summons IG Punjab in missing journalist case

The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday summoned Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab, Dr. Usman Anwar, to appear in person at 3 pm for his response on the abduction of senior journalist Hafiz Shakir Awan.

The court’s order came after a request from a police official to delay providing a response regarding the incident.

The hearing, led by Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh, was held in response to a habeas corpus petition filed by Shahnaz Begum, the mother of the missing journalist. Begum’s petition sought the recovery of her son, who was allegedly abducted from his home in Nishat Colony Cantt, Lahore, on November 28, 2024.

The petition also called for proceedings against the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Punjab Police for their alleged unlawful actions, including harassment, assault, and illegal detention.

During the proceedings, a police official appeared before the court and claimed that Shakir Awan was not in police custody but requested more time to trace his whereabouts. In response, President of the Courts Journalist Association, Muhammad Ashfaq, called for the immediate summoning of the IGP to clarify the situation.

Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh expressed dissatisfaction with the request for more time and directed the IGP to personally appear in court at 3 pm for a detailed explanation.

Shahnaz Begum, in her petition, described how, on the night of November 28, a group of around 20 unknown individuals forcibly entered their house, claiming to be looking for her son. She described them as armed, some in civilian clothing and others resembling elite police forces, who harassed the family and confiscated their mobile phones and other belongings. The group allegedly also removed the CCTV cameras from the premises before abducting Shakir Awan.

Begum stated that despite her efforts to contact her son, his phone remained off and there was no communication from him after the abduction. She emphasized her son’s profession as a senior court reporter and journalist who had frequently advocated for the protection of fundamental rights and the enforcement of the rule of law.

The petition urged the court to direct the authorities to release Shakir Awan immediately if they failed to provide a legal justification for his detention.

The court has adjourned the case and awaits the IGP’s response in the afternoon session.