An anti-terrorism court in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has mandated that doctors from the Abbas Institute of Medical Sciences conduct a medical examination for the poet Ahmed Farhad following Farhad’s counsel’s appeal for a health assessment due to concerns over his well-being.
As his lawyer, Iman Mazari, stated, Farhad was moved to Muzaffarabad from DhirKot under various charges laid out in the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). The prosecution requested additional response time, prompting the court to postpone the proceedings until June 3.
The case has garnered attention due to the circumstances surrounding Farhad’s arrest. He was reportedly taken from his home on May 14, leading his wife, Urooj Zainab, to petition the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for his recovery and actions against those responsible for his disappearance.
On May 29, in compliance with the IHC’s directive to locate Farhad, Attorney General of Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan confirmed that Farhad was in the custody of AJK Police. Subsequently, Farhad’s family was permitted to visit him at the Kahori police station outside Muzaffarabad. After the visit, Farhad’s brother informed reporters that Farhad was in stable condition and emphasized their plans to continue legal efforts within AJK.
Additionally, the IHC recently rejected a federal government request to close Farhad’s recovery case until he could personally appear in court. Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani of the IHC insisted that the case only conclude once Farhad is physically presented in court. Following this decision, the case has been adjourned until June 7.
