RAWALPINDI, May 9: Former general secretary of district bar Rawalpindi Sardar Manzar Bashir advocate was kidnapped and released on Thursday but after being subjected to severe torture.

The lawyer, having cuts, wounds and bruises and crying in pain, was found at Adiala road by some passersby who informed Rescue 1122.

He was later shifted to Benazir Bhutto Hospital where the doctors gave him first aid.

The doctor who treated him said: “Though there was no bone fracture, he sustained cuts, wounds and bruises due to torture.”

The doctors at the BBH described his condition as out of danger.

Sardar Manzar Bashir said in his complaint lodged with the Waris Khan police that he was going to his office when his car was intercepted by another car near Rawalpindi Medical College at Tipu Road.

“They smashed the windows of my car, then covered my face with black fabric and later dragged into their car and sped away,”Manzar said, adding that the kidnappers were having soldier cut and carrying Kalashnikovs and sticks.

He said he was taken to an undisclosed location where he was ruthlessly tortured.

He said in his statement that the kidnappers also snatched Rs5,000, Saudi Riyals and a cellphone. They later covered his face again and threw him at Adiala road.

The Waris Khan police registered a case against unidentified persons under anti-terrorism act, and other relevant sections of the law on the complaint of the lawyer.

When Taufeeq Asif, the president Lahore High Court Rawalpindi Bench Bar was contacted he said: “The incidents of torturing lawyers are increasing day-by-day as one was shot dead while others are being kidnapped or tortured.”

He said such incidents had sparked concern among the lawyer community who appeal to the army chief General Kiani to take notice of such incidents.

“Sardar Manzar was tortured brutally and he was profusely bleeding when he was brought to the hospital,” Taufeeq Asif said.—Staff Reporter