Senior Journalist Matiullah Jan and Court Reporter Shakir Awan Abducted in Separate Incidents

Islamabad/Lahore: Senior journalist Matiullah Jan and court reporter Shakir Awan have been abducted in separate incidents. According to reports, Matiullah Jan, a prominent journalist, was allegedly abducted by unknown individuals from the parking lot of PIMS Hospital in Islamabad. His son, along with several journalists in the capital, reported the abduction. Matiullah Jan’s son, Abdul Razzaq, stated that his father was taken in an unidentified vehicle along with senior court reporter Saqib Bashir. However, Saqib Bashir was released shortly afterward, with the abductors telling him, “This is not your issue, it’s Matiullah Jan’s matter.”
Abdul Razzaq further said that the abductors did not identify themselves, nor did they clarify if they were from the police, Rangers, or another organization. He demanded the immediate release of his father and called for his family to be informed about his whereabouts. Later reports indicated that Matiullah Jan had been taken to the Margalla Police Station in Islamabad.
In a separate incident in Lahore, senior court reporter Shakir Mahmood Awan was abducted by a group of unknown individuals, including personnel from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), from his home last night. The abductors broke CCTV cameras and seized Shakir Awan’s mobile phone and other valuable items before taking him away.
Both abductions have raised concerns about press freedom and the safety of journalists in Pakistan.