LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday summoned the Gujrat regional police officer (RPO) in person in a petition seeking recovery of an overseas Pakistani allegedly picked up by the Crime Control Department (CCD).

Justice Shehram Sarwar Chaudhry heard the petition filed by Maryam Yousaf, who sought recovery of her brother Ahsanullah.

A counsel for the petitioner informed the court that his client’s brothers Ahsanullah and Shafqat Saqlain had been living abroad for the last 25 years.

However, after returning to Pakistan, they were allegedly picked up at around 3am on March 12, 2026 by CCD Inspector Farasat Ali along with other officials.

The counsel told the court that police officials had allegedly demanded Rs1.3 million for the release of the two brothers.

He said the inspector later released Shafqat but Ahsanullah remained in custody and his whereabouts were still unknown.

He pointed out that no criminal case had ever been registered against either of the two brothers.

Expressing concern over Ahsanullah’s disappearance, the lawyer asked the court to order his immediate recovery and release.

During the hearing, the judge remarked, “What kind of lawlessness is this that a citizen was picked up and taken away with impunity?”

The judge directed the Gujrat RPO to ensure the recovery and production of the missing citizen before the court on May 19.

Published in Dawn, May 13th, 2026