Pakistan court orders intelligence agencies to find missing activist

Justice Qazi Amin Ahmed conducted the third hearing in the case of Khan, who had gone missing from Lahore on December 2 prompting fears for his safety, Dawn online reported.

Khan, in his late 30s, reportedly formed a group called Aaghaz-i-Dosti, a platform to further the cause of peace between India and Pakistan.

He is also known for posting messages on social media critical of the Army and its alleged links with extremist groups. Khan was also active with a group working for environmental protection.

Activists belonging to various rights groups, along with friends and family, have been agitating for his release. They claimed he has been unlawfully detained by the security agencies as he has been critical of them.

A social media campaign with hashtag #FindRaza was launched earlier this month demanding the safe return of the activist. Fellow activists have been holding peaceful gatherings pushing for Khan's recovery. An appeal was also made to President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi.

During the last hearing on December 18, Justice Amin had ordered the Station House Officer of Naseerabad police station to present Raza on the next (Friday's) hearing.

Advocate Asma Jahangir told the court that Raza's family had received phone calls from unidentified numbers and they told them that he'd soon be with his family.