Islamabad court issues notice over missing dissident poet and journalist.
The disappearance of celebrated poet and journalist Ahmad Farhad from Islamabad has stirred a major controversy with his kin alleging involvement of Pakistan’s premier intelligence agency ISI. Even as the government denies holding him, the Islamabad High Court sees it as an enforced disappearance case.
The 38-year-old dissident hails from Bagh but has consistently confronted the deep state and powerful establishment for human rights violations. His wife, Syeda Urooj Zainab, informed him that he faced pressure to back ex-PM Imran Khan and rejected changing loyalty to any political party.
Narrating the May 14 incident, Zainab stated four unknown men forcibly bundled Farhad into a vehicle outside his house at midnight. Earlier, he had expressed threats to life for reporting issues in PoK amid a crackdown on dissidents and opposition groups.
After a coerced WhatsApp message urging her to withdraw the petition for his recovery, Zainab approached the court seeking his whereabouts. While the ISI and government deny arresting him, the court issued a stern notice on Tuesday, granting four days to produce Farhad or summon senior officers.
Farhad’s family has endured immense agony in his absence as human rights bodies too condemned the disappearance. The court intervened decisively after conflicting claims arose in the politically charged atmosphere, raising hope of justice. However, a resolution hinges on cooperation from powerful circles as the mysterious disappearance rattles the nation.
