Imran Khan's abducted lawyer Intezar Panjutha found distressed, tied up in car

• Attock police confirm safe recovery of PTI lawyer Panjutha.
• Police say PTI counsel was rescued after shootout with abductors. 
• IHC assured yesterday by AGP Awan of his recovery in 24 hours.
  

In a dramatic turn of events, the Punjab police successfully  recovered the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan's lawyer, Intezar Hussain Panjutha, following a shootout with alleged kidnappers in Hassan Abdal.

The development too place late Saturday night when personnel of the Attock police stopped a suspicious vehicle during a routine check. According to the police spokesperson, the vehicle was carrying a "gang of kidnappers" with an abductee.

Upon being intercepted, the kidnappers opened indiscriminate fire on the police. However, they fled upon retaliation by the police party, leaving behind the car with a man trussed-up inside. 

The police safely recovered the abductee, who turned out to be the PTI founder's counsel, the police spokesman confirmed.

Later, Panjutha was shifted to a hospital for medical treatment, where he revealed that he was severely tortured by the kidnappers. He said he was picked up from Islamabad on October 8 for a ransom worth Rs20 million.

"The abductors communicated in Pashto and I was unable to understand the conversations. They kept me tied up till Saturday evening,” Panjutha said, recounting that he was being moved continuously for three to four hours.

“I had no idea where they had brought me or how far they had travelled,” he added.

The police said they an investigation is underway to identify the individuals behind the abduction.

The former prime minister's lawyer had been missing since 8 October. A case regarding his disappearance is sub judice in Islamabad High Court (IHC)

IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq was told during a recent hearing that efforts for Panjutha's recovery were underway.

Attorney General of Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan assured the court that Panjutha would be back by the same time the next day.

The CJ remarked that if Panjutha is found, there will be no need for further appearances, but if not, the AGP will have to return for the next session.