Human rights organizations and the journalistic community strongly condemned the reported arrest of senior journalist Matiullah Jan on Thursday in connection with the PTI’s recent protest in Islamabad.
Earlier, prominent anchor Hamid Mir alleged that Matiullah Jan had been abducted from the capital. Subsequent reports revealed that Jan was at the Margalla Police Station, though his current whereabouts remain unclear.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) demanded Jan’s “immediate and unconditional release,” denouncing the act as an “authoritarian tactic to silence journalists.” In a statement, the HRCP emphasized that such measures against press freedom must end.
Senior anchor Arifa Noor shared on X (formerly Twitter) that journalist Asad Toor informed her Jan had been implicated in a case involving senior PTI leaders and others linked to the November 24 rally. However, human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir, who visited the Margalla Police Station, reported that Jan was no longer there.
“After pleading with the police to allow us access to Matiullah Jan, we were finally let in,” she said in a post on X. She added that upon checking the lock-up, other detainees confirmed that Jan had been removed shortly before her arrival, describing his current status as “missing.”
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) also expressed grave concern over reports of Jan’s abduction, linking it to his coverage of protests by supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. “Authorities must ensure Jan’s safety and immediate release,” the CPJ stated, calling for a transparent and impartial investigation and accountability for those involved.
The CPJ further confirmed that journalist Saqib Bashir, who was reportedly detained alongside Jan, has since been released.
