Journalist and YouTuber Shakir Mehmood Awan, reportedly taken from his home by individuals allegedly associated with law enforcement, returned early Sunday morning. His release followed three days of disappearance, during which his family pursued legal avenues for his recovery.
Awan’s mother had filed a petition with the Lahore High Court (LHC), urging the court to direct authorities to locate and produce him immediately. Justice Tariq Saleem Sheikh scheduled the hearing for Friday morning, summoning Punjab’s inspector general of police (IGP) to address the case. However, Punjab Additional IGP Shahzada Sultan appeared on behalf of the police chief.
The court ordered the Punjab Safe City Authority to submit CCTV footage of the incident, while Awan’s lawyer, Muhammad Azhar Siddique, criticized the police for filing a first information report (FIR) without taking substantial action. The public prosecutor assured the court that all efforts were being made to comply with its directives.
Justice Sheikh instructed authorities to present Awan in court on Monday and reissued the summons for the Punjab IGP.
Awan Recounts His Ordeal
Upon returning home, Awan shared details of his abduction in an interview with Dawn.com. He described how more than 20 individuals, some in police uniforms and others in civilian attire, raided his house late Thursday night.
“They thoroughly searched my home,” Awan said. “When I questioned them, they ignored my bail status in an FIA case and provided no arrest warrants.”
According to Awan, his belongings, including his mobile phone, were seized before he was forcibly taken away with his hands cuffed and a black cloth covering his head. He spent three days in an undisclosed location before being released early Sunday morning in Lahore’s Cavalry Ground area.
The incident has raised serious concerns about due process and press freedom in the region.
