Islamabad: Pakistani journalist Matiullah Jan was detained by Islamabad police on Thursday following an alleged dispute at a security checkpoint in the capital.
Early Thursday, journalist Matiullah Jan was reportedly stopped at an E-9 security checkpoint in Islamabad while driving. According to Express News, he allegedly failed to stop, leading to a collision with an on-duty constable, who sustained injuries. The police claim Jan then took the officer’s government-issued weapon and issued threats. Authorities also suggested he might have been “under the influence” during the incident.
Jan was subsequently detained and taken to Margalla Police Station, where a case was registered. He is scheduled to appear before an anti-terrorism court in Islamabad for further proceedings.
Human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir expressed concern that Matiullah Jan’s whereabouts were unknown after he was taken into custody, alleging he had gone “missing.” She noted that after her legal team gained access to Margalla Police Station, detainees confirmed he had been removed by authorities shortly before her arrival.
Jan’s son, Abdul Razzaq, also alleged his father was abducted late at night from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) parking lot by individuals in an unmarked vehicle. Journalist Saqib Bashir, present at the scene, was briefly detained before being released.
“Matiullah Jan was reportedly abducted around 11 p.m. from the parking lot of PIMS by individuals in an unmarked vehicle, following his critical coverage of protests in Islamabad. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has expressed serious concern, calling for his immediate release and a thorough investigation. They also highlighted the unresolved impunity surrounding his 2020 abduction. Similarly, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) condemned the incident, labeling it an authoritarian attempt to suppress press freedom, and demanded Jan’s prompt release.”
