Prison IG, Pindi CPO summoned in missing jail official’s case

RAWALPINDI: Justice Chaudhry Abdul of the Lahore High Court Rawalpindi Bench has expressed displeasure over the police’s performance during the hearing of a petition seeking the recovery of Adiala Jail official Muhammad Akram. 

The court criticised the state’s treatment of its officials and summoned the prison IG and Rawalpindi CPO in person. At the hearing on Wednesday, the petitioner, Maimoona Riaz, her lawyer, Iman Mazari, and representatives from the Saddar Baruni police were present. During the proceedings, the court reviewed the show-cause issued by a government representative to Muhammad Akram and observed that the officer was missing and issued a show-cause notice. The petitioner’s lawyer informed the court that anti-corruption officials had inquired about Akram’s children from their school and the school staff had also been questioned. The court again expressed concern over the state’s treatment of officials. The court summoned the prison IG and Rawalpindi CPO to appear in person on October 14. The interior and defence secretaries were also ordered to submit affidavits at the next hearing.

Maimoona Riaz, wife of Deputy Superintendent Muhammad Akram, had filed a petition through her advocates, Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chatha, against the Punjab home secretary, defence secretary, superintendent jail, IGP, and the SHO of Saddar Baruni police. In her petition, she claimed that on the morning of August 14, her husband was illegally detained by intelligence agencies from their residence in the Officers’ Colony of the jail. She had lodged a complaint with the police on August 15, seeking the registration of an FIR, but to no avail. That night, her house was raided without a search warrant, and all electronic devices were seized.

Later, media reports revealed that her husband had been arrested for allegedly facilitating the PT’s ex-chairman, who is currently in jail. The petitioner claims her husband is innocent and fears he may be subjected to mental and physical torture.

Citing Articles 10 and 10A of the Constitution, she emphasised the right to a fair trial and the opportunity for her husband to defend himself, which has not been granted. The petition requests that the court order the registration of a case for illegal detention and allow her and her children to meet her husband.