Missing PTI focal person and Imran Khan lawyer Intezar Panjutha was recovered by police in the wee hours of Sunday from Punjab’s Attock.
He was reportedly abandoned by his alleged abductors in the jurisdiction of the Hassan Abdal Police Station in Attock.
A suspicious vehicle traveling from Islamabad to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was signaled to stop on the GT Road, a police spokesperson said. When the vehicle failed to comply, a blockade was established, leading the abductors to flee, leaving both the vehicle and the abductee behind.
The victim was identified as Intezar Panjhutha. Police have set up a blockade in the area to search for the fleeing abductors.
Upon rescue, Panjhutha was found with his hands and feet bound. Authorities untied him, provided him with water, and then transferred him to a safe location.
The recovered counsel revealed that he was severely tortured, adding that he was picked up from Islamabad on October 8 for a ransom worth Rs 20 million.
He said that the abductors communicated in Pashto, leaving him unable to understand their discussions.
“They kept me tied up until Saturday evening,” Panjutha said, recounting that he was being moved continuously for three to four hours.
“I don’t know where they brought me from or how far they traveled,” he added.
Earlier on Saturday, Attorney-General for Pakistan Mansoor Awan told the Islamabad High Court that Panjutha would be recovered within 24 hours.
He appeared in the court during the hearing of the petition, seeking the recovery of the missing lawyer. IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq told the AGP that in case, Panjutha was not recovered by tomorrow, he would have to appear in the court on the next hearing.
The AGP replied that Panjutha would be back by this time tomorrow.
