‘Missing’ man being tried in military court, IHC told

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has been informed that a citizen, who went missing from Muzaffarabad in March this year, was arrested on charges of espionage and is now being tried in a military court.

The IHC directed the defence ministry to arrange a meeting of the detainee, Mudassar Khan, with his family and adjourned the hearing.

Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani heard the petition for the recovery of Mudassar. Counsel Iman Zainab Hazir Mazari appeared in the court on behalf of the petitioner Nazima Fatah Yab while Assistant Attorney General and Brigadier (retd) Falak Naz from the ministry of defence appeared on behalf of the Federation.

A written report was submitted by the ministry in which it was stated

that on the court order, the Military Intelligence Directorate GHQ was asked about the alleged missing person and they informed that the person concerned was not in the custody of the Intelligence Bureau, however, he was being tried and facing a Field General Court Martial on charges of espionage.

The petitioner’s counsel requested the high court to direct the respondent to allow Khan to meet his family.

The high court granting request directed the representative of the ministry of defence to grant permission to Khan’s family to meet him as per the law and adjourned the hearing.