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The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday suspended the two-day physical remand of senior journalist Matiullah Jan, who was facing charges of terrorism and narcotics in a case widely criticized as “bogus” and based on “trumped-up charges.”
The petition challenging Jan’s remand was heard earlier in the day by IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir.
Jan’s legal team filed the petition after his detention in Islamabad on Wednesday night, followed by the registration of a first information report (FIR) the next day. Jan’s son alleged that “unknown individuals” had abducted the journalist before the authorities confirmed his arrest.
Later on Thursday, Jan was brought before the Rawalpindi Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC), where Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra granted the police a two-day physical remand. The judge, however, rejected the police’s request for a 30-day custody.
It should be noted that 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.
The incident has sparked widespread concern among journalists and human rights activists. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) demanded Jan’s “immediate and unconditional release,” condemning his arrest and describing it as an “authoritarian tactic to silence journalists.” The HRCP emphasized that such measures must stop immediately.
