POK Court Rejects Kashmiri poet Ahmed Farhad’s bail plea
The recent decision by an anti-terrorism court in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to reject the bail petition of poet Ahmed Farhad has drawn attention to concerns about his well-being and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance. Farhad, known for his defiant prose, went missing during anti-government protests in the region, and his wife Urooj Zainab has expressed her intention to challenge the court’s decision. The details of why the bail was rejected were not disclosed, raising questions about transparency and due process.
Farhad’s case has sparked widespread concern, with his wife alleging that he was abducted from his house on May 14. In response, she sought the Islamabad High Court’s intervention to secure her husband’s recovery and hold those responsible for his disappearance accountable. After 15 days of uncertainty, the Attorney General for Pakistan revealed that Farhad was in PoK police custody, leading to a meeting between the poet’s family and authorities at the Kahori police station outside Muzaffarabad.
The Islamabad High Court has played a pivotal role in overseeing the case, rejecting the federal government’s plea to conclude the poet’s recovery case until he appears in court. This decision underscores the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring that Farhad’s case is handled with transparency and accountability. However, concerns have been raised about the poet’s well-being, with his family expressing worries that he may be subjected to mistreatment or administered a slow poison. These concerns have prompted the court to order a medical examination of Farhad, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
The ongoing legal proceedings and the upcoming hearing on June 7 indicate that Farhad’s case continues to be a matter of significant public interest and concern. The rejection of his bail plea raises broader questions about due process and human rights in PoK, drawing attention to the need for transparency, accountability, and respect for fundamental rights. As the case unfolds, it is essential for authorities and the judiciary to prioritize Farhad’s well-being and ensure that justice is served in a fair and transparent manner.
