The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has declared journalist and poet Ahmed Farhad a missing person until he reaches home safely and ruled his arrest unlawful, highlighting concerns about the procedures followed by law enforcement agencies.
Kashmiri poet Farhad was reported missing from Islamabad on May 15 and later found in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) police custody on May 29.
In a ruling on June 10, IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq emphasized that Farhad’s detention lacked legal basis and instructed the authorities to ensure his safe return. The court’s decision came after a series of hearings in response to a petition filed by Farhad’s family, who reported his sudden disappearance.
The court expressed its dismay over the lack of transparency and accountability in handling Farhad’s case, urging law enforcement agencies to respect citizens’ rights.
The court also criticized the authorities for failing to produce Farhad before the court despite repeated orders. The IHC directed the Inspector General of Police Islamabad to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Farhad’s disappearance and arrest.
On the same day, Farhad was shifted to Rara Jail on judicial remand following directives from the Session Court Muzaffarabad, AJK. Farhad will remain in custody pending further investigation and legal proceedings. The court has adjourned the hearing until June 24.
