Lahore (Abu Ghazi) The Lahore High Court disposed of a petition seeking the recovery of an overseas Pakistani after the petitioner chose to withdraw the case, informing the court that the alleged abductee had returned home.
The matter was heard by Justice Shahram Sarwar Chaudhry on a petition filed by Maryam Yousaf. During the proceedings, the court asked the petitioner whether she wished to continue pursuing the case. In response, she stated that she wanted to withdraw the petition because the missing individual had returned home.
However, Advocate Zubair Khalid challenged the claim and argued before the court that the alleged abductee, Ehsanullah, had not yet been recovered. He further alleged that the petitioner had been kept in custody for two days before being presented before the court.
The lawyer informed the bench that he was appearing on behalf of Ehsanullah’s son and requested that the investigating officer be directed to produce the missing man before the court. The government counsel sought time, stating that Ehsanullah could be produced within an hour.
Despite the request, the court declined Advocate Zubair Khalid’s plea and disposed of the matter on the basis that the original petitioner had voluntarily withdrawn the petition.
During the hearing, Advocate Zubair Khalid stated that Ehsanullah and his brother, Shafqat Saqlain, had been living abroad for approximately 25 years. According to the lawyer, both men were allegedly taken away on the night of March 12 after returning to Pakistan by officials associated with the Crime Control Department (CCD), including an inspector identified as Firasat Ali and other personnel.
The lawyer further alleged that a demand of Rs13 million had been made for their release. He claimed that Shafqat Saqlain was subsequently released, while Ehsanullah remained missing.
According to the petitioner’s legal team, neither brother had ever been involved in any criminal case, and no information regarding Ehsanullah’s whereabouts had been provided, raising concerns about his safety and well-being.
The petition had requested the court to order the recovery and release of Ehsanullah. However, following the withdrawal of the petition, the case was formally closed.
