Petition Filed in Islamabad High Court for Recovery of Journalist Ahmad Noorani’s Brothers The mother of investigative journalist Ahmad Noorani has filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) seeking the recovery of her two sons, who she claims were “forcibly disappeared” in apparent retaliation for Noorani’s journalistic work. Ahmad Noorani, a US-based journalist affiliated with the platform FactFocus, recently published an investigative report regarding a senior military official and his family, which has sparked significant controversy. According to the petition, the journalist’s brothers, Saifur Rehman Haider and Muhammad Ali, were taken from their home in Islamabad at around 1:05 am by unidentified individuals allegedly linked to the country’s intelligence agencies.
Petition Details
The petition, filed under Article 199 of the Constitution, names several key respondents, including the Federation of Pakistan (via the interior secretary), the Ministry of Defence (via its secretary), Islamabad’s Inspector General of Police, and the SHO of Noon Police Station. The petitioner claims that these abductions appear to be a targeted reprisal against Ahmad Noorani’s fearless investigative journalism. She stated that her sons, who are both engineers, have no connection to Noorani’s reporting and are being victimized unjustly. The petition highlights the violation of the constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights of Noorani’s brothers and their family members. It seeks the following:
- Immediate recovery and presentation of the two brothers in court.
- Identification and punishment of the perpetrators involved in the abduction.
- Access for the two brothers to their family and lawyer as per constitutional rights.
- Disclosure of their charges, if any, and their place of detention.
Incident Summary
The petition includes an FIR application submitted to the Noon Police Station, detailing the incident in which about 20-25 unidentified individuals forcefully entered the family’s Islamabad residence. The men reportedly climbed over the walls and broke down doors to gain access. The petitioner, Noorani’s mother, alleges that she was in contact with Noorani on the phone during the break-in. However, the intruders snatched her phone and disconnected the call. They also confiscated her CNIC, as well as the phones of her two sons and daughter. The petition mentions an attempt by the daughter to record the incident, but the intruders forced her to delete the footage and took her phone.
International Response
Human rights organization Amnesty International condemned the reported disappearances, labeling them as part of Pakistan’s “relentless repression of dissent.” In its statement, Amnesty said, “The targeting of family members for the critical work of a journalist is a blatant attack on freedom of expression and democratic values.” Amnesty urged Pakistani authorities to immediately disclose the whereabouts of Noorani’s brothers and conduct an impartial investigation into the incident, holding those responsible to account through the legal system. Senior journalist Matiullah Jan also condemned the incident, describing it as “deeply shocking and condemnable.” He called on Islamabad Police to take fast action, emphasizing that any allegations should be handled through due legal process rather than resorting to unlawful actions.
Ahmad Noorani’s History of Investigative Work
Ahmad Noorani is no stranger to controversy. His investigative reports have repeatedly attracted attention due to their focus on powerful figures in Pakistan. In 2022, his platform FactFocus published a report about the assets of former army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s family, which resulted in government backlash. FactFocus, known for its data-driven investigative journalism, has previously published controversial reports on figures like ex-CJP Saqib Nisar and former CPEC chairman Asim Saleem Bajwa. These investigations have often sparked intense debate in politics and media circles.
What Happens Next?
The case has drawn widespread attention at both national and international levels. All eyes are on the Islamabad High Court as activists, journalists, and human rights organizations push for justice. While Noorani’s brothers remain missing, this tragic incident reflects the increasing risks faced by journalists and their families in Pakistan. Whether this case marks a turning point for press freedom in the country or becomes yet another overlooked instance of injustice remains to be seen. Would justice be served? Time will tell.
