Safe Return of Abducted YouTuber Aun Ali Khosa

After being reportedly abducted on August 15, YouTuber Aun Ali Khosa has safely returned home. The Lahore High Court had ordered authorities to locate him following a petition by his wife. His family and lawyers confirmed the release, expressing concerns about rising abduction cases.

YouTuber Aun Ali Khosa, who was reportedly abducted on August 15, has safely returned home, according to his lawyers on Monday, reported Dawn News. Following a petition filed by his wife, Binish Iqbal, the Lahore High Court (LHC) instructed the Lahore police to locate Khosa by August 20.

Iqbal's petition described Khosa as a "digital content creator, writer, and respected comedian/artist with a substantial YouTube following of 137,000 subscribers." It detailed that on August 15 at 2 a.m., a group of masked individuals and police officers forcibly entered his apartment, seizing his electronic devices. His brother, Ali Sher Khosa, claimed the popular YouTuber had been kidnapped from his home.

"Today in the middle of the night, my brother Aun Khosa has been taken into custody by some unknown armed men from his flat in Lahore. Kindly pray for him. Do spread the word as it will mean a lot to our family," he posted on X. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) had also reacted, suggesting the abduction was linked to his satirical work.

Late Monday night, Khosa's lawyer Khadija Siddiqi confirmed his release on X: "Alhamdulillah, Aun Ali Khosa has been released! He has reached home!" She criticized the rising trend of abductions, noting, "Over the last two months, we have fought all missing persons cases, including Aun Ali's, at the Lahore High Court."

Siddiqi described the common tactics used by abductors: "They come in the dark of the night, break down the door, and seize mobile phones, laptops, and CCTV footage before harassing the victim." She expressed optimism for ending these practices, adding: "If someone has violated the law, bring them to court and prosecute them there."

Aun Khosa's brother celebrated his return on X: "Alhamdulillah, my big brother Aun Khosa, a comedian turned hero, is back. Thank you Hamid Mir for raising the voice on National Television for Aun Khosa. Khosa family will always be thankful."

(With inputs from agencies.)