Court summons ISI, MI and IB officials in poet Ahmed Farhad’s case

ISLAMABAD: In a significant development in the kidnapped poet Ahmed Farhad’s recovery case, the Islamabad High Court has issued a written order summoning the sector commanders of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Military Intelligence (MI), as well as the director Intelligence Bureau (IB).

The court has also summoned the interior secretary, defence secretary, law minister and law secretary to appear on May 29.

IHC Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani issued the order, seeking a progress report on the investigation into Farhad’s case.

During the hearing, the Inspector General (IG) and the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) apprised the court of the investigation’s progress, revealing that the location of the abductor has been traced.

The police officials assured the court that they would soon reach the concerned place and individuals.

However, the court noted that the statement of the sector commander had not been recorded, and the written reply received from the ministry of defence was included in the investigation.

Also read: IHC summons top officials in Ahmed Farhad disappearance case

On Friday, Islamabad High Court Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani summoned officials from Pakistan’s intelligence agencies, including ISI, MI, and the Intelligence Bureau, alongside the law minister, defence and interior secretaries, to appear on May 29 in the case concerning the disappearance of Ahmed Farhad Shah. Shah was allegedly abducted from his home on May 15, prompting his wife to file a petition for his recovery. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has also demanded his immediate release.

During the hearing, Justice Kayani voiced dissatisfaction with the defence secretary’s response and criticized the lack of transparency and accountability within the intelligence agencies.

He emphasized the necessity for these agencies to operate within constitutional boundaries and called for a structured system of accountability.

The judge noted that without understanding the internal workings of these agencies, comparing their performance with other law enforcement bodies was challenging.

Highlighting the public interest in this issue, the court permitted the proceedings to be reported and mandated live streaming of all missing persons cases to foster public awareness.

Attorney General of Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan, who appeared in court, took responsibility for Shah’s recovery and mentioned that call detail records were being utilised in the search.

Justice Kayani also instructed the defence secretary to clarify ISI operations and appointed senior journalist Hamid Mir and others as judicial assistants to aid in the case.