LHC orders police to locate missing journalist Rana Shahid Mahmood

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court ordered a deputy superintendent of police to produce missing journalist Rana Shahid Mahmood. The directive came in response to a petition filed by Rana Fraz Shahid, the journalist’s son.

During the hearing, the court reviewed a report from the District Police Officer (DPO) of Sialkot and incorporated it into the case record. The court instructed the DSP to recover and present Rana Shahid Mahmood, adjourning further proceedings until August 28.

Rana Shahid Mahmood, former chairman of the Sambrial Press Club, was abducted from a local cafe in Sambrial at midnight on July 1, 2024. Despite previous court orders for his production and ongoing investigations, the police have yet to locate him.

They are currently conducting geo-fencing and awaiting a forensic report on CCTV footage.

Rana Shahid Mahmood’s son, Rana Fraz Shahid, has highlighted that the missing journalist had reported against drug dealers.

He provided CCTV footage to aid the investigation and urged the court to ensure his father’s recovery.

The petitioner expressed frustration that the police have not yet traced his father, noting that the abduction occurred in the presence of local police, with individuals in police uniforms also visible in the footage.

Moreover, Tahir Sarwar, the journalist’s nephew, filed an FIR (1426/24) with Sambrial police, detailing that 20 to 25 masked men abducted Rana Shahid Mahmood at gunpoint using multiple vehicles, including pickup trucks, a Kia Sportage, and a Honda Civic. The kidnappers also removed the CCTV’s CDR from the cafe.