ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court has ordered the return and release of the missing brothers of social media activist Azhar Mashwani.
IHC Justice Miangul Hasan Aurangzeb heard the petition on Friday.
Lawyers Babar Awan and Amna Ali representing Azhar Mashwani’s father appeared before the court and informed that two brothers of Professor Azhar Mashwani, Mazharul Hassan and Zahoorul Hassan, are missing since June 6.
Justice Miangul asked about the petitioner’s arrest. The lawyer told the court that the appellant was not arrested, instead he was the father of his two missing sons.
Counsel Babar Awan said that Azhar Mashwani was a social media activist and had also been kidnapped earlier. However, Mashwani’s brothers were kidnapped on June 6 and Raoof Hassan was arrested on June 5, Awan added.
Justice Aurangzeb remarked with a smile that Barrister Gohar wanted to be arrested but did not meet the conditions and was not arrested.
Babar Awan said the application was filed in the Lahore High Court but was dismissed on August 5.
He claimed that a WhatsApp message was received from an intelligence agency threatening to stop social media activities and mentioned that Azhar Mashwani’s brothers were detained in Islamabad’s secret agency.
This message has been sent as a record. The lawyer also told the court that an application has been made to the Peshawar High Court (PHC) for permission to travel abroad for Azhar Mashwani’s wife.
During the hearing, the court ordered Azhar Mashwani’s brothers to recover and produce them in court.
Justice Miangul told the Attorney General that your arguments will be considered in the next hearing.
The court noted that in the current situation, a violent, ill-mannered person was viewed. Babar Awan replied to the court that Azhar’s brothers had no connection with politics.
Justice Aurangzeb said that under the present circumstances they were on the receiving end. These matters would be governed by Sharia as advocated by the Prime Minister.
The court said that the answer would be issued in the next hearing and its already issued judgments could be considered in the case, otherwise the Attorney General would be called.
The court demanded an Islamic view on matters relating to the detention of accused without custody and failure to appear before a judge.
The court adjourned the hearing to August 13.
