photo: lahore high court
Today, the Lahore High Court issued an order directing the Inspector General of Punjab to locate Umar Dar. In a session overseen by Justice Ali Baqir Najafi, a petition filed by the father against Umar Dar’s arrest was heard, involving the IG Punjab, CCPO Lahore, and others.
The petitioner’s lawyer mentioned a recent meeting with the hotel owner who declined to provide CCTV footage, citing concerns about potential repercussions for their establishment. However, the hotel manager’s video statement confirms the police’s involvement in Umar Dar’s arrest.
Prompted by this plea, the judge instructed the IG Punjab to recover Umar Dar and present a response today. The petition underscores the claim made by Umar Dar’s mother, stating that over 40 individuals, including those in police attire, forcibly took Umar Dar. She alleges this act as part of ongoing political vendetta due to her contesting elections in Sialkot against Khawaja Asif. The family perceives this abduction as a relentless form of political reprisal and seeks the court’s intervention in Umar Dar’s recovery.
Additionally, Umar Dar’s daughter, speaking outside the High Court, criticized the Punjab Police for what she termed as an abhorrent act of abducting individuals to manipulate their loyalties. She urged her father’s appearance in court to confront the alleged false charges against him. Despite these challenges, she emphasized the family’s unwavering support for Imran Khan, expressing a commitment akin to that of her uncle, Usman Dar, even if her father, Umar Dar, were to disassociate from the PTI.
