During a hearing at the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday, Attorney General for Pakistan, Mansoor Usman Awan, revealed that Kashmiri poet Ahmed Farhad, who had been reported missing, is currently in police custody in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The AGP disclosed this information while responding to a plea filed by Urooj Zainab, Farhad’s wife, seeking her husband’s recovery. The plea, submitted on May 15, urges the court to identify, investigate, and prosecute those responsible for Farhad’s disappearance.
The case is being heard by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, with human rights lawyer Iman Mazari representing Zainab in the proceedings. Additionally, a report from the DhirKot Kashmir police station was presented before the court, providing further details about the situation.
Ahmed Farhad, renowned for his defiant prose, was reportedly abducted from his residence on May 14, prompting his wife to seek legal intervention for his recovery.
Speaking to journalists outside the IHC, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar stated that the police are actively investigating the case of the missing Kashmiri poet. He clarified his presence at the court by explaining that he had provided assistance on constitutional matters in a judicial capacity.
During a previous hearing on May 21, AGP Awan assured the court of the government’s commitment to rescuing and recovering the poet in response to the IHC’s directives. He emphasized that all necessary actions would be taken to ensure Farhad’s safe return.
In the course of the hearing, Justice Kayani directed the AGP to ensure that no individuals are unlawfully detained in Islamabad, underscoring the state’s responsibility in preventing such incidents. The judge emphasized that the failure to recover a missing person would reflect poorly on the state’s efforts.
In response to the judge’s concerns, AGP Awan requested time to facilitate the poet’s recovery, indicating ongoing efforts to address the situation. Meanwhile, the petitioner’s lawyer urged the AGP to provide an update on the progress made in recovering Farhad in the past six days, stressing the importance of locating him if he is not in the custody of any agencies.
