Senior Journalist Matiullah Jan Arrested After Brief Disappearance, Media Association Condemns Detention

Islamabad:Senior journalist and YouTuber Matiullah Jan, who had been reported missing the previous night, has been arrested and transferred to the Margalla Police Station. Media reports confirmed that Jan’s arrest was officially acknowledged, and it is believed that a case has been filed against him, although no official copy of the charges has been shared yet.

Earlier reports indicated that Matiullah Jan was abducted from the parking lot of PIMS Hospital in Islamabad late at night, along with his colleague, journalist Saqib Bashir. According to the tweet from Jan’s son, Waheed Murad, posted on his official Twitter handle, the two journalists were at the hospital for professional work when they were abducted around 11 p.m. on the night of the incident. Saqib Bashir was released after five minutes, but Jan was reportedly taken by an unidentified individual in a car with no license plates.

The tweet also mentioned that Matiullah Jan had recently covered protests in Islamabad, a move that was seen as bold and controversial. His family and supporters have called for his immediate release, demanding that the authorities disclose his whereabouts.

Prominent journalist Bashir Chaudhry also confirmed the abduction in a tweet, adding that both Jan and Bashir were blindfolded and taken in a van-like vehicle. Bashir was later released, but Jan was still missing until his detention was confirmed.

This incident marks the second time in recent years that Matiullah Jan has faced abduction; he was previously kidnapped in July 2020 during the tenure of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, but was later returned safely to his family.

**Journalists’ Associations Condemn the Detention**
In the wake of Matiullah Jan’s arrest, the Court Journalists Association held an emergency meeting to strongly condemn the illegal detention of Jan and senior court reporter Shakir Awan. The association demanded their immediate release and called for the Chief Justice of Pakistan to take suo motu notice of the unlawful act. The association further called for accountability and strict punishment for those responsible.

This incident has sparked widespread concern among journalists and human rights groups in Pakistan, drawing attention to the challenges faced by media personnel in the country. The case continues to unfold, and calls for justice and transparency remain high.