Islamabad: Senior journalist Matiullah Jan was granted a two-day physical remand by an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad on Thursday, following his arrest in a case filed at the Margalla Police Station. Jan, who has faced previous abduction concerns, was detained after allegedly defying police orders and being involved in an altercation at a security checkpoint.
The court hearing was presided over by Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra, who approved the remand after prosecutor Raja Naveed had requested a 30-day extension. The journalist was accused by the police of failing to stop at a security post in Sector E-9 and, instead, arguing with officers. According to authorities, Jan allegedly rammed his vehicle into a police constable, injuring him severely, and seized the constable’s weapon. The police also claimed Jan appeared to be intoxicated at the time of the incident.
Jan’s arrest has sparked concerns from human rights groups and the media. Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir, a prominent lawyer, expressed alarm over Jan’s initial disappearance, stating that when she visited Margalla Police Station to meet him, he was not present, and police officials denied any knowledge of his whereabouts. Jan’s son, Abdul Razzaq, further raised alarms, claiming that his father was abducted from the parking lot of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) by unidentified individuals in an unmarked vehicle late at night.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned the incident, urging authorities to ensure Jan’s safety and immediate release, while recalling his previous abduction in 2020, which remains unresolved. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) also voiced strong condemnation, calling the arrest an authoritarian attempt to silence journalists and demanding Jan’s release.
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The incident has raised widespread concerns about the state of press freedom and the safety of journalists in Pakistan, with multiple organizations calling for transparency and accountability. Investigations into the matter are ongoing, and authorities have yet to comment on the mounting allegations of police misconduct and the disappearance of Jan.
This latest controversy highlights ongoing fears over the safety of media personnel in Pakistan, where journalists often face threats and violence in the course of their work.
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