LHC orders police to recover missing court journalist

Lahore High Court (LHC) Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh has directed Punjab Police to produce missing journalist and senior court reporter Hafiz Shakir Mehmood Awan by Monday.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab has also been summoned to appear in person as part of a habeas corpus petition filed by Shakir Awan's mother Shahnaz Begum.

The petitioner accused law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Punjab Police, of illegal actions such as home intrusion, harassment, and unlawful detention.

Justice Tariq presided over the case in three sessions on Friday. In the first session, the court instructed the law officer to present the version of Lahore's Capital City Police Officer (CCPO).

During the second session, a senior police officer claimed the journalist was not in police custody but requested time to locate him.

Dissatisfied with the response, the court summoned the IGP for the afternoon session.

In the final session, Additional IGP Shehzada Sultan appeared, explaining the IGP was in Islamabad.

A First Information Report (FIR) had been registered, and investigations were underway. However, Justice Tariq expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of tangible progress, stressing the court's orders must be fully implemented.

Shahnaz Begum's petition outlines a harrowing account of her son's abduction on November 28, 2024, from his residence in Nishat Colony, Lahore.

Around 20 unidentified individuals, some armed and masked, allegedly forced their way into the home, confiscated electronic devices, and dismantled the CCTV cameras.

The petitioner detailed how these individuals harassed the family and abducted her son.