Pakistan Punjab's top cop fails to appear in court in missing journalist case

The Inspector General of Police (IGP) for Pakistan's largest province, Punjab, Dr. Usman Anwar, failed to appear in court on Friday in a case concerning the recovery of journalist Shakir Mahmood Awan, who has been missing since November 28.

Awan, a senior court reporter, was allegedly abducted from his residence in Lahore by around 20 unknown individuals, some reportedly armed and dressed as elite police forces, according to his family. They claim Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) personnel were also involved in the abduction.

Shahnaz Begum, Awan’s mother, filed a habeas corpus petition on November 28 in the Lahore High Court (LHC), seeking her son’s recovery. In her petition, she described how the abductors forcibly entered their home late at night, harassed the family, confiscated mobile phones, and removed CCTV cameras before taking Awan.

During Friday’s proceedings, LHC Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh ordered police to produce Awan by Monday. The judge also summoned the IGP to appear in person after he failed to comply with a prior verbal order.

Additionally, the CEO of Safe City Cameras was directed to present CCTV footage of the incident in court.

The Additional Inspector General of Punjab Police informed the court that a case had been registered and was under investigation.

Speaking to Nukta, Azhar Siddique, the lawyer representing Awan’s family, stated that no evidence had been presented against the journalist so far.

He expressed hope that Awan would be recovered by Monday but emphasized the family’s growing despair and concern for his safety.

Before approaching the court, the family had checked with local police and the FIA but found no record of any case registered against Awan.

Sheraz Hassnat, Senior Vice President of the Lahore Press Club, told Nukta that they were actively pursuing the case and maintaining contact with Awan’s family.

He revealed that Awan had faced legal troubles in October over his reporting on an alleged rape case involving Punjab College, though he had obtained temporary bail.

Hassnat also reported claims from Awan’s family that the journalist was mistreated during his abduction.