- Attock Police assures safe recovery of PTI lawyer Pangotha.
- Police say the PTI lawyer was rescued after exchanging gunfire with the kidnappers.
- IHC confirmed yesterday by AGP Awan that he recovered within 24 hours.
In a dramatic turn of events, Punjab Police successfully rescued the lawyer of Imran Khan, founder of the PTI, Intisar Hussain Panjotha, after an exchange of fire with alleged kidnappers of Hassan Abdul.
The incident occurred late Saturday night when Attock police personnel stopped a suspicious vehicle during a routine check. According to the police spokesman, the car was carrying a gang of kidnappers who kidnapped a person.
After they objected, the kidnappers opened fire randomly at the police. Security forces responded, prompting the suspects to flee, leaving the kidnapped person and the car at the scene.
The spokesman confirmed that the police were able to safely detain the kidnapper, who turned out to be the lawyer of the founder of the PTI movement.
Pangutha had been missing since October 8. The case related to his disappearance is still pending before the Islamabad Supreme Court.
The previous day, the Chief Justice of the International Supreme Court, Justice Aamer Farooq, heard the case, with Pakistan’s Attorney General, Mansoor Usman Awan, informing the court that efforts were underway to recover PTI’s lawyers within 24 hours.
During the hearing, the presiding judge instructed that if Pangotha was found, there would be no need for further appearance, but if not, the prosecutor would have to return for the next hearing. However, the prosecutor confirmed, assuring that Pangutha would return at the same time the next day.
The police confirmed Pangotha’s safe recovery and are continuing investigations to determine the identity of the individuals behind the kidnapping.
Pangutha was taken to hospital for medical treatment.
The recovered lawyer revealed that he was subjected to severe torture, adding that he was arrested from Islamabad on October 8 for a ransom of Rs 20 million.
He said the kidnappers were speaking in Pashto, making him unable to understand their discussions.
“They kept me tied up until Saturday evening,” Pangutha said, noting that he was moved continuously for three to four hours.
He added: “I don’t know where they brought me from or how far they traveled.”