Noorani’s missing brothers: Court orders IG to produce individuals

JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 7 April 2025 | JP Staff Report

The Islamabad High Court has directed the Inspector General of Police to produce the missing brothers of journalist Ahmad Noorani. Their abduction has raised alarms over the safety of journalists' families in Pakistan.

Summary

ISLAMABAD—The Ministry of Defence informed the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday that it does not have custody of the two missing brothers of journalist Ahmad Noorani, nor does it know their whereabouts.

Justice Inam Amin Minhas presided over the hearing of the petition concerning Saifur Rahman Haider and Muhammad Ali, who were allegedly forcibly abducted from their home in Islamabad during the night between March 18 and 19 by unidentified men.

Ahmad Noorani, a well-known investigative journalist, has been living in self-exile in the United States for several years due to threats to his safety in Pakistan.

During the proceedings, IG Islamabad Police Ali Nasir Rizvi told the court that a special investigation team had been constituted to trace the missing individuals. He shared that mobile SIM activity linked to both brothers was detected in Bahawalpur and Uch Sharif on March 22 and 23, while their phones had remained switched off from March 19 to 21.

Rizvi added that police teams had been dispatched to Bahawalpur and Sindh, and that coordination was ongoing with the Punjab Police, given that the missing brothers are originally from Bahawalpur. He confirmed that the police are also exploring the possibility of abduction.

Despite these developments, Justice Inam Minhas issued a clear directive: “My instruction is to produce the individuals.”

The case has raised serious concerns about the safety of journalists’ families and the growing number of enforced disappearances in Pakistan.

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Key Points

Court orders the production of missing brothers Saifur Rahman Haider and Muhammad Ali.
Ministry of Defence denies custody or knowledge of the brothers' whereabouts.
Mobile activity linked to the brothers was traced to Bahawalpur and Uch Sharif.
Police are exploring the possibility of abduction and are coordinating with Punjab Police.
The case highlights concerns about enforced disappearances affecting journalists in Pakistan.

Relevant Topics

Noorani

Missing Brothers

Islamabad

High Court

Police

Investigation

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