Journalist Matiullah Jan’s two-day physical remand granted

ISLAMABAD: Anti-terrorism court (ATC) Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra on Thursday approved a two-day physical remand of senior journalist Matiullah Jan in a case registered against him at Islamabad’s Margalla Police Station

The journalist was presented in the court and Prosecutor Raja Naveed requested a 30-day physical remand. The court, however, granted a two-day physical remand of the journalist.

Earlier, the Islamabad police arrested Matiullah Jan for defying police orders to stop at a security check post and alleged altercation with the police.  

According  to the police, Matiullah Jan was signaled to stop at a check post in Sector E-9, Islamabad, but he refused and started arguing with the police and allegedly rammed his vehicle into the police constable, severely injuring him.

The police have claimed that the journalist appeared to be intoxicated at the time.

 According to the FIR, Matiullah also seized the constable’s government-issued weapon and hurled threats. Later, Matiullah Jan was arrested and taken to Margalla Police Station.

Human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir said that Jan was at alock-up when she went to visit him at the Margalla Police Station.

Earlier, Mazari-Hazir, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), said, “After pleading with police at Margalla Police Station to allow us access to our client, we were finally allowed in. The detainees inside confirmed that police had taken Jan away before our arrival. He is missing.”

Jan’s son, Abdul Razzaq, also alleged that his father was abducted from the parking lot of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) around 11pm by unidentified individuals in an unmarked vehicle.

CONCERNS FROM MEDIA AND RIGHTS GROUPS

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) expressed serious concern over the alleged abduction and urged authorities to ensure Jan’s safety and release.

“Authorities must ensure Jan’s safety and immediate release,” CPJ said, also highlighting the lack of accountability in Jan’s previous abduction in 2020.

Similarly, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) condemned the incident as an “authoritarian tactic to silence journalists” and demanded Jan’s immediate release. “This authoritarian tactic to silence journalists must cease,” the HRCP stated.

The incident has sparked widespread concern over press freedom and the safety of journalists in Pakistan. Investigations are ongoing.

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