The Islamabad High Court, led by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, has deferred the decision on the petition concerning poet Ahmad Farhad’s recovery case, scheduling the next hearing for June 7.
During the session, Advocate Imaan Mazari represented Ahmad Farhad’s wife, Urooj Zainab. The Additional Attorney General, Munawar Iqbal Dogal, informed the court that Ahmad Farhad is facing legal proceedings within the jurisdiction of Azad Kashmir and is under physical remand until June 2. Dogal reported that Farhad’s family had been permitted to meet him and requested the court dismiss the habeas corpus petition.
Contrarily, Advocate Mazari contended that the petition not only seeks Farhad’s recovery but also demands accountability for his alleged enforced disappearance. In response, Justice Kayani asserted that the case’s resolution hinges on Farhad’s appearance in court, stating, “The day Ahmad Farhad comes to court, we will dispose of the petition.”
During the proceedings, it was revealed that Ahmad Farhad is facing multiple charges. However, details about his whereabouts before his arrest on May 29 remained vague. The prosecutor general emphasized that any legal matters about Ahmad Farhad should be handled by the courts in Kashmir, which operate under a legal framework autonomous from that of Pakistan.
Justice Kayani underscored the imperative of adhering to legal norms and procedures, expressing concerns about potential legal abuses in Farhad’s ongoing case. The hearing concluded with a decision to postpone, continuing the judiciary’s effort to ensure justice prevails within the bounds of the law.
