The missing Kashmiri poet case would end after he appeared in court, Islamabad High Court’s Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani said on Friday as the judge dismissed on Friday the additional attorney general’s request to dispose of the habeas corpus petition in the Kashmiri poet recovery case.
Justice Kayani said this while hearing a petition of Urooj Zainab, the wife of Kashmiri poet Ahmad Farhad. Lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha appeared in court on behalf of the petitioner.
At the hearing, Additional Attorney General Munir Iqbal Duggal informed the court that there were cases registered against Farhad within the boundaries of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He was on physical remand until June 2.
He urged the court to dispose of the habeas corpus petition as the poet has met his family members. Earlier this week, the Muzaffarad police arranged the meeting, but he is in police custody, facing charges of attempted murder and anti-terrorism.
To the AAG’s plea, lawyer Mazari said that the petition had not only demanded his return but also sought action against those responsible for his enforced disappearance.
Justice Kayani remarked that “this case will only end when Ahmad Farhat appears in court. The day Ahmad Farhat comes to court; we will dispose of the petition.”
At one point in the case, AAG Duggal stated that Kashmir was a foreign territory with its own constitution and courts and the decisions of Pakistani courts were treated as foreign court rulings in the AJK region.
Mazari informed the court that the family had visited the Dhirkot Police Station, and inspected the entire police station and lockup, but could not find Farhad there. When asked, she said that the police informed them that Farhad had been transferred to Muzaffarabad under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
The lawyer added that the region’s police informed that Farhad was with the SHO, not in the police station.
Justice Kayani inquired about the number of FIRs registered against the poet. To this, the additional attorney general responded that they were aware of the two complaints registered against him.
The judge also asked about Farhad’s whereabouts prior to his arrest on May 29, but the prosecutor general stated that the court in Kashmir would look into this matter.
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Justice Kayani remarked that every individual should work within the ambit of the law. The prosecutor general stated that they have “worked” within the legal framework.
Mazari argued that the court should also look into the misuse of laws and procedures. In response, Justice Kayani stated that they would indeed determine the misuse of the law.
Later, the court adjourned the hearing till June 7 after rejecting the request to dispose of the habeas corpus petition.
