IHC reopens Pattoki AC death case

Orders fresh autopsy; says genuine questions over AC's death remain unanswered

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Saturday ordered a fresh post-mortem examination of the body of late Assistant Commissioner Furqan Ahmed, who was buried at the H-8 Cemetery in Islamabad nearly a year ago.

The court directed the District Magistrate to complete the post-mortem process within 10 days.

Pattoki AC Furqan Ahmed died at a rest house on August 31, 2025, after completing relief operations in flood-affected areas. His death subsequently became a mystery, with questions continuing to surround its actual cause.

The deceased's father has spent the past year pursuing legal avenues to determine the circumstances and cause of his son's death.

Justice Shahrukh Arjumand issued the order on a petition filed by the deceased's father seeking a fresh post-mortem. The court observed that it was undisputed that the deceased's body was buried at the H-8 Cemetery in Islamabad. Therefore, it held, the exhumation and subsequent medico-legal examination necessarily fell within the jurisdiction of Islamabad.

The court directed the District Magistrate to constitute a medical board and include the relevant authorities, the deceased's father or his representative, and the investigating officer from Kasur in the process.

The judgment stated that the death of the Pattoki AC could not be treated merely as an administrative dispute. Questions regarding the actual cause of his death had continued to arise, it noted.

Nearly a year had passed since his death, yet no clear and satisfactory response had emerged from the relevant authorities, according to the court.