The Lahore High Court (LHC) has instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to take swift action regarding the cases of two Pakistani nationals linked to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), who are currently detained in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Justice Sadiq Mahmud Khurram issued these orders on September 14, following two petitions submitted by the families of the detained individuals, Syed Salman Raza Zaidi and Muhammad Junaid Jahangir, represented by Barrister Abuzar Salman Niazi.
Details of the Detentions
The petitions reveal that Syed Salman Raza Zaidi disappeared from his home in Sharjah on September 27, 2024, only to later be apprehended by local authorities. His spouse, Faryal Zainab, informed the court that nearly two years have elapsed without any clear communication regarding the charges against her husband or the specifics of any legal proceedings involving him.
In a separate case, Muhammad Junaid Jahangir’s father, Muhammad Ibrahim, claims his son was taken into custody at Dubai airport on September 24, 2024, upon returning from a trip to Saudi Arabia.
Legal Assistance and Representation
The petitions criticize the federal government’s apparent inaction and the Foreign Office’s failure to provide necessary legal support and consular assistance to the detained men. Barrister Niazi disclosed to the court that requests regarding the detentions had been submitted to the foreign secretary but had not been adequately addressed.
The families are seeking legal representation, access to judicial records, and diplomatic measures to facilitate the return of the two men to Pakistan. They have also requested a report detailing the actions taken by the state concerning these matters.
Court’s Directive
After reviewing the petitions and the accompanying documents, Justice Khurram directed the foreign secretary to process the outstanding representations regarding Zaidi and Jahangir’s detentions in the UAE. The court emphasized that these matters should be handled in accordance with the law and without delay.
The judge instructed that a decision on these representations should ideally be made within 15 days from the receipt of a certified copy of the court’s orders. Consequently, the court concluded both petitions with these directives.
