LAHORE:
The Lahore High Court (LHC) proceedings on Tuesday revealed the failure of law enforcement agencies and Punjab Inspector General Police (IGP) Dr Usman Anwar to present missing journalist Imran Riaz Khan before the court.
LHC Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti adjourned the proceedings until next week and directed Khan's father to share his concerns with the working committee.
During today's hearing, IGP Anwar informed the court about ongoing collaborative efforts with law enforcement agencies in the case. He also mentioned that the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) was contacted to identify the individuals involved in Khan's abduction.
Previous Proceedings:
The search for the missing journalist took a perplexing turn as key government officials failed to locate him, further delaying the court proceedings.
The Secretaries of Defence and Interior, along with Dr Usman Anwar, informed the LHC that the cell phones used in the case were traced to Afghanistan, which limited their ability to track them.
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The journalist, known for his strong support and vocal advocacy of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its policies, was apprehended by the police on May 11 at Sialkot Airport.
Reports suggest that the anchor was arrested on charges of allegedly inciting violence during clashes between security forces and PTI supporters.
In earlier court proceedings, the LHC Chief Justice directly addressed the secretaries and the IGP, seeking an update on the missing journalist.
Dr Usman Anwar, taking the podium, revealed that despite conducting extensive geo-fencing operations, they were unable to trace any relevant numbers. In compliance with the court's directions, authorities held meetings with Imran Riaz Khan's family members, legal team, and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). However, it was discovered that the phone numbers associated with the case originated from Afghanistan.
The IGP informed the court that their current capabilities did not extend to tracking numbers in Afghanistan."
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