Poet Ahmed Farhad arrested by AJK police, AGP tells IHC

Islamabad: The Attorney General for Pakistan, Mansoor Usman Awan, informed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday regarding the whereabouts of missing Kashmiri poet Ahmed Farhad. According to AGP Awan, the poet has been “arrested and is currently in police custody” in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

The revelation came during the hearing of a petition filed by Poet Ahmed Farhad wife, Urooj Zainab, seeking her husband’s recovery. Zainab, who moved the IHC on May 15, requested the court to identify, investigate, and prosecute those responsible for her husband’s disappearance.

Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani presided over the hearing, with human rights lawyer Iman Mazari representing Zainab. During the proceedings, a report from the DhirKot Kashmir police station was presented to the court.

Speaking to journalists outside the IHC, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar stated that the police are actively investigating the case of the missing poet. “Poet Ahmed Farhad is in Azad Kashmir,” Tarar confirmed, adding that he was present in court to assist with constitutional matters.

Farhad, known for his defiant prose, was reportedly abducted from his home on May 14. In the previous hearing on May 21, AGP Awan assured the court of their commitment to rescuing and recovering the poet following IHC’s directives. “We will do whatever it takes. We will rescue and recover Farhad,” AGP Awan declared.

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Justice Kayani emphasized the state’s responsibility in ensuring that “no one gets picked up from Islamabad.” He asserted, “If a person does not get recovered, it will be a failure of the state.” In response, AGP Awan requested additional time to ensure Farhad’s recovery.

During the session, the petitioner’s lawyer, Iman Mazari, urged the AGP to share any progress made in the past six days regarding Farhad’s recovery. “If the agencies don’t have him [Farhad], then he can be traced at least,” she argued.

The court has adjourned the hearing, instructing AGP Awan to expedite the recovery process and provide regular updates on the case.