KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday disposed of a petition after a ‘missing’ lawyer was set free by his captors and appeared in court.

A petition was filed in the SHC a couple of days ago, seeking recovery of Advocate Jauhar Abid, who is also contesting the upcoming general elections as an independent candidate, said to be backed by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-London, from a National Assembly constituency (NA-248).

At the outset of the hearing, the counsel for the petitioner submitted that a case was registered at the Mobina Town police station and argued that the matter required urgent hearing since the missing lawyer was in wrongful confinement.

The SHO concerned was found absent and the SHC noted that liberty of a person was supreme. It directed the DIG (investigation) and SP-investigation concerned as well as a SP of the Counter Terrorism Department to appear in court after the tea break and file comments.

Thereafter, some police officials appeared before the SHC and Advocate Abid also turned up. He informed the court that he was set free.

He, however, made it clear that he would not withdraw his candidature.

A two-judge bench, headed by Justice Naimatullah Phulpoto, disposed of the petition after the petitioner’s lawyer informed it that they were withdrawing the same.

Published in Dawn, January 13th, 2024