LHC admits petition against Inamur Rahim’s detention

RAWALPINDI: The Lahore High Court (LHC) Rawalpindi bench on Friday admitted a petition filed against the detention of Lt Col (R) Inamur Rahim Advocate, who according to the Defence Ministry has been taken into custody under the Pakistan Army Act (PAA) for alleged violation of Official Secret Act.

Het LHC Judge Mirza Viqas Rauf resumed hearing of the case. Additional Attorney General Sajid Ilyas Bhatti apprised the court that Inamur Rahim has been taken into custody in accordance with law, however, he could not satisfy the court on the detention of an officer years after his retirement from the armed forces. The court admitted the petition for regular hearing and adjourned the case till January 09.

Bhatti argued that Section 13 of the PAA empowered the military to investigate the retired officers. However, Advocate Ahsanuddin Sheikh, a counsel of Inamur Rahim’s family, argued that Section 13 could only be invoked in case a complaint against the retired officer has already been lodged.

Retired Brigadier Wasaf Khan Niazi, another counsel in this matter, cited different case laws in response to the arguments of the additional attorney general. He said the Army Act is clear regarding arrest of retired officer, whereas Inamur Rahim has been taken into custody in violation of the relevant sections of the PAA.

Justice Rauf observed that since the matter is related to the habeas corpus, therefore, the court needs to examine several legal