KARACHI: A reporter, working for a private news channel, after remaining missing for more than 22 hours returned to his mother’s home in Karachi on Saturday evening.
According to details, the reporter reached his mother’s home and reportedly established contact with his wife. Ali Imran told her wife that he has returned safely and has not been physically harmed.
Ali Imran Syed went missing in Karachi on Friday night. The reporter left his home between 7pm and 8pm after telling his family he would be back home in half an hour. The report also quoted Imran’s wife as saying that his car was parked outside their home and her husband did not take his cell phone with him.
Karachi police chief and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) East have been informed about Imran’s disappearance, the publication said, adding that the family had also submitted a report to Sachal police station.
Meanwhile, Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab has said that Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has taken notice of the incident. “The matter is being investigated,” he informed.
CM Sindh has taken notice & spoken to IG Sindh. The matter is being investigated. Will keep u informed about the progress. Insha’Allah all efforts will be made for his recovery https://t.co/b6egpNuiRj
— Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui (@murtazawahab1) October 24, 2020
In this regard, the Chief Minister said, “Such actions against journalists are intolerable I want a progress report on Ali Imran every hour.” CM Murad also assured the channel’s management that Ali Imran will be returned soon.
The reporter’s disappearance has also garnered attention on social media. The hashtag ‘BringBackAliImran’ was among the top trends on Twitter on Saturday.
PM’s Advisor on Accountability Shahzad Akbar has said that the Centre has taken notice of the journalist’s disappearance and the secretary interior has spoken to Sindh’s IGP for the early recovery of the journalist.
Federal Govt has taken notice of disappearance of journalist #AliImran Sec Int has spoken with IG Sindh for early recovery of the journalist and offered support/assistance of all federal agencies in this case & general safety of journalists in Sindh
— Mirza Shahzad Akbar (@ShazadAkbar) October 24, 2020
“The government has offered support and assistance of all federal agencies in this case and for the general safety of journalists in Sindh,” he added.
Federal Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari has said that no one should go missing in a democracy. “We have strong laws, including anti-terror laws to deal with those who are allegedly guilty of a crime,” she remarked.
No one should “disappear” in a democracy – we have strong laws, incl anti terror laws, to deal with those who are allegedly guilty of a crime. Arrest & charge. @MuradAliShahPPP @SindhCMHouse https://t.co/hsIVzjhn1t
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) October 24, 2020
PML-N’s Maryam Nawaz also condemned the incident and claimed that the reporter was picked up for sharing CCTV footage of Capt (retd) Safdar’s arrest.
