Senior journalist Matiullah Jan after kidnapping arrested in terrorism & narcotics case, physical remand of two days granted

ISLAMABAD, Nov 28 (SABAH): Senior journalist Matiullah Jan after kidnapping was arrested by Islamabad police in terrorism and narcotics case. Meanwhile the anti-terrorism court approved two days physical remand of Matiullah Jan.

Meanwhile the Amnesty International, Committee to Protect Journalists, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), the Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AMEND)  and other organizations while condemning the arrest have demanded immediate release of Matiullah Jan.

Meanwhile Matiuallah Jan while talking to media person in court said that he was arrested for working on the news of dead bodies of the persons killed during the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf protest.

Following the claim of Matiullah Jan’s son on X that his father was “abducted” from Islamabad last night by “unknown individuals”, it emerged that the journalist was booked in a first information report (FIR).

It later emerged that the anchorperson had been booked in a terrorism case, which also included charges of possessing narcotics. The FIR was lodged by the Margalla police on the complaint of Superintendent of Police Asif Ali.

Matiullah Jan was later presented in the Rawalpindi Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) where Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra presided over a request by the police to grant the journalist’s 30-day physical remand. However, the judge only granted his physical remand for two days. Matiullah Jan vowed to continue his work as he was brought to court by the police.

Concerning his treatment, he said: “This is highly irresponsible. The integrity of institutions is being destroyed. The reason [for the arrest] is as you know that I was [reporting] on the dead bodies.”