LAHORE: Lahore High Court Chief Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti on Thursday expressed dissatisfaction with the police efforts to recover alleged missing anchorperson Imran Riaz and gave another day to the Punjab Police to ensure production of the media person.

Hearing a habeas corpus petition of Riaz’s father, the chief justice regretted that the police did nothing during the last 48 hours except writing letters to the intelligence agencies. He reprimanded the Sialkot DPO for assigning the investigation into the case to a sub-inspector.

The DPO said all-out efforts were being made for recovery of the anchorperson; however, Justice Bhatti said the court was not happy with the efforts of the police.

Advocate Azhar Siddique, on behalf of the petitioner, said the police were doing nothing but dodging the court.

IGP Usman Anwar and the officials of the interior ministry appeared before the court when the judge resumed the second phase of the hearing after two hours.

The IGP stated that the police were continuously working in coordination with the intelligence agencies and the matter was being investigated on scientific grounds. He referred to his conversation with the sector commander concerned and assured the court that he would also meet the latter again, if needed. He also suggested formation of a special police team on the matter.

The CJ gave another day to the IGP for the recovery of the anchorperson and adjourned the hearing till Friday (today).

The police admitted to have arrested Riaz on May 11 from Sialkot airport and shifted him to jail. The police claimed the whereabouts of the anchorperson were unknown since his release from the jail.

Published in Dawn, May 19th, 2023