A Pakistani journalist critical of the authorities and military was allegedly abducted from outside a hospital in Islamabad while reporting on Wednesday, his son revealed in a video statement on Thursday.
Matiullah Jan, known for his outspoken reporting and criticism of the powerful military, disappeared shortly after publishing reports on his YouTube channel.
Jan recently shared a video on social media showing a Rangers official being struck by a vehicle in Islamabad. He alleged that the vehicle was driven by a Rangers officer, though other Rangers personnel claimed the incident involved a vehicle driven by protesters. Jan also accused PIMS officials of facing pressure to downplay casualties from the operation against PTI protesters.
“Yesterday, my father, Matiullah Jan, was picked up around 11:30 p.m. from in front of PIMS [hospital] along with my uncle, Saqib Bashir, by unidentified individuals in unmarked vehicles,” Abdul Razzaq said in a post on X, shared via Jan’s account. “They didn’t identify themselves as police, Rangers, or any other authority. Why bother introducing themselves in the democratic republic of Pakistan, where accountability seems optional?”
Razzaq added that Bashir was released shortly after the abduction. “They stopped somewhere and told Bashir Uncle, ‘We have no issue with you.’ He was let go. They made it clear the issue was with Matiullah Jan.”
Prominent journalist Hamid Mir confirmed on X that Jan was being held at Islamabad’s Margalla Police Station, though he did not provide further details.
Later, it was revealed that Jan had been detained at Margalla Police Station in Islamabad. According to the FIR, he is accused of threatening security officials. The report further claims that Jan was driving a white car at high speed and, when signaled to stop by security personnel, he allegedly attempted to run them over.
In recent years, journalists in Pakistan have increasingly reported government and military censorship, harassment, and intimidation, as well as digital abuse. Authorities, however, deny targeting journalists.
