LHC summons Sialkot DPO over missing journalist case, family seeks justice

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court has issued a summons to the Sialkot District Police Officer (DPO) regarding the disappearance of journalist Rana Shahid Mahmood, who went missing on July 1, 2024.

During a hearing on Tuesday, the court expressed dissatisfaction with the police’s failure to recover the missing journalist. The petitioner, Fraz Shahid, son of the missing journalist, alleged that his father’s reporting on drug dealers may have led to his kidnapping.

According to Fraz, his father is a professional journalist and a social worker. The unknown men shifted his father to some unknown place after kidnapping him.

In addition, Tahir Sarwar, the nephew of the kidnapped journalist, had also lodged FIR 1426/24 with Sambrial police station under Section 365 of Pakistan Penal Code 1860.

The court had previously directed a deputy superintendent to investigate the case, but no progress has been made.

The petitioner submitted CCTV footage, which shows almost 25 unknown individuals reached there on five five pickup trucks (Vigo dalas), a Kia Sportage, and a Honda Civic car, their physical appearance has been described as some wearing police uniforms, kidnapping Rana Shahid Mahmood from a café in Sambrial at midnight on July 1, 2024.

Despite lodging an FIR, the family has not received any updates on his whereabouts.

The court has adjourned the hearing until September 12, expecting the DPO to provide an update on the case.

Rana Shahid Mahmood, chairman of the Sambrial Press Club, was taken away by masked individuals in multiple vehicles, and his family is seeking the court’s assistance in ensuring his safe recovery.