Attock, Pakistan – In a dramatic turn of events, the Punjab police located Intezar Hussain Panjutha, the founding chairman’s lawyer of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), who had been missing since October 8. His recovery late Saturday was confirmed by the party early Sunday, amidst controversy over the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.
PTI has been intensely critical of the handling of Panjutha’s case, suggesting that the abduction was staged. The party called for the filing of a first information report against the Attorney General for Pakistan, Mansoor Usman Awan, accusing him of knowing Panjutha’s whereabouts after he promised the high court Panjutha would appear within 24 hours.
Rescue efforts led to Panjutha’s recovery in Attock, where he was purportedly found as his abductors were moving him. He was immediately taken to a hospital for assessment and care. Following his recovery, a video surfaced showing him bound and visibly distressed in a vehicle, sparking widespread outrage on social media platforms.
PTI Chairman Gohar Khan expressed his dismay on social media, questioning if the responsible parties would face justice. He highlighted the grim practice of abduction and torture followed by abandonment, criticizing the lack of subsequent legal consequences.
The sentiment was echoed by former speaker of the National Assembly, Asad Qaiser, who stressed the importance of judicial intervention. He warned that ignoring such incidents could jeopardize the safety of individuals nationwide, urging for a thorough investigation to hold the abductors accountable.
Human rights activists and lawyers also weighed in. Jibran Nasir criticized the act as an institutionalization of abduction and torture in Pakistan, implicating the Attorney General and Punjab police in a cover-up of what he referred to as “state-enforced disappearance.” Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir also called for accountability, pointing to the public’s reaction to the circulated video as a catalyst for wider civil outcry.
Journalist and TV host Hamid Mir commented on the condition of Panjutha shown in the media, suggesting it told a distressing yet familiar story of mistreatment. The PTI has urged the Supreme Court to initiate an independent investigation concerning Panjutha’s detention and the broader issue of human rights abuses.
These developments have triggered a mix of condemnation and demand for justice across various sectors of society, reflecting deep concerns about the prevalence of enforced disappearances and the rule of law in the country.
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