- Attock police confirm safe recovery of PTI lawyer Panjutha.
- Police say PTI counsel was rescued after shootout with abductors.
- IHC assured yesterday by AGP Awan of his recovery in 24 hours.
In a dramatic turn of event, the Punjab police have successfully rescued the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s lawyer, Intazar Hussain Panjutha, following a shootout with alleged kidnappers in Hassan Abdal.
The incident unfolded late Saturday night when personnel of the Attock police stopped a suspicious vehicle during a routine check. According to the police spokesperson, the vehicle was carrying a gang of kidnappers who had abducted an individual.
Upon being intercepted, the kidnappers opened indiscriminate fire on the police. The officers retaliated, prompting the suspects to escape, abandoning both the abducted individual and the vehicle at the scene.
The police managed to safely take the abductee who turned out to be the PTI founder’s counsel, into custody, confirmed the spokesperson.
Panjutha had been missing since 8 October. A case regarding his disappearance has been pending before the Islamabad High Court.
A day earlier, Chief Justice of the IHC Justice Aamer Farooq heard the case, in which the Attorney General of Pakistan, Mansoor Usman Awan informed the court that efforts are underway to recover the PTI’s lawyer within 24 hours.
During the hearing, the CJ directed if Panjutha is found, there will be no need for further appearances, but if not, the Attorney General will need to return for the next session. However, the Attorney General confirmed, assuring that Panjutha would be back by the same time the next day.
The police have confirmed Panjutha’s safe recovery and are continuing investigations to identify the individuals behind the abduction.
Panjutha has been shifted to a hospital for receiving medical treatment.
The recovered counsel revealed that he was severely tortured, adding that he was picked up from Islamabad on October 8 for a ransom worth Rs20 million.
He said that the abductors communicated in Pashto, leaving him unable to understand their discussions.
“They kept me tied up until Saturday evening,” Panjutha said, recounting that he was being moved continuously for three to four hours.
“I don’t know where they brought me from or how far they travelled,” he added.
