Senior Pakistani journalist Matiullah Jan has gone “missing” from the parking of a prominent hospital in Islamabad. Mati, 55, has been reporting on the PTI march to Islamabad and was investigating the government’s claim of&nbsp;no deaths taken place during the use of force by the establishment in a bid to push back the marching protesters from D-Chowk on Tuesday (November 26).

Matiullah hosts a prominent mainstream TV show and also has a big YouTube presence and keeps the internet verse informed through his fearless vlogs.

An FIR has surfaced 13 hours after Matiullah Jan went missing and what his family defines as abduction. The FIR by Islamabad police maintains that Matiullah Jan was under the influence of drugs when he rammed into a police barrier, snatched the gun from the policeman on duty and pointed the gun at him.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/explosion-heard-near-delhis-prashant-vihar-investigation-underway-779841">Explosion heard near Delhi's Prashant Vihar, investigation underway</a>

Matiullah’s Family maintains that Matiullah went missing from the parking of PIMS hospital in Islamabad on November 27 at around 11 pm just before midnight. It is also pertinent to mention that for someone who has been alleged to be under the influence of drugs at the time of the claimed attack, Matiullah Jan does not even smokes, he has been a strong opponent of the use of any sort of drugs or tobacco.

Mati’s son in a video statement confirmed that his father had gone missing from the parking of PIMS in Islamabad alongside another journalist just before midnight on November 27. The other journalist, Saqib Bashir, also a court reporter for a prominent Pakistani TV network was later released in one of the farther sectors of Islamabad.

Saqib could not describe the event much saying that both were blindfolded.

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Disappearance of senior journalist Matiullah Jan is highly condemnable &amp; matter of deep concern. The government's campaign to muzzle the media &amp; critical voices is simply shameful. If something happens to Matiullah, PM will be held responsible.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) <a href="https://twitter.com/CMShehbaz/status/1285566704840572929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, sources in Islamabad police said that Matiullah was at Margalla police station but refused to divulge details of the charges and case against him.

Lawyers of Matiullah Jan, Imaan Mazari and Abdul Hadi Chatta said that “after quite a lot of back and forth and struggle, we did manage to get inside the Margalla police station to see our client but he was taken away from the police station before we could see him”.

Matiullah is likely to be presented before an Anti Terrorism Court later today on charges that are&nbsp; unknown yet.

Matiullah had been reporting from the ground on PTI’s protest and the reported use of excessive force. He had also been&nbsp;investigating the claims of deaths of PTI supporters&nbsp;as a result of the violence that ensued during clashes between protesters and the law enforcement agencies.

<h2>Matiullah Jan's Abduction</h2>

When Matiullah Jan was abducted in&nbsp;July 2020, the then Prime Minister Imran Khan while speaking to reporters after his ouster had said that he&nbsp;was not aware of Matiullah Jan’s abduction and that he had asked the then DG ISI Lt Gen(rtd) Faiz Hameed to find&nbsp;him immediate.

Following his retirement,&nbsp;Pakistan’s former Army Chief Gen Rtd Qamar Bajwa rambled about the then abduction of Matiullah Jan while speaking to a journalist and said he had reprimanded the then chief of Pakistan’s premier spy agency on the “mannerism in which Matiullah Jan was kidnapped”.

CCTV footage in July 2020 showed people in police uniforms abducting Matiullah Jan. However, the Islamabad police till date maintain they weren’t able to identify the vehicles used during the&nbsp;kidnapping.

After the abduction, the then leader of the opposition who is now the Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif had tweeted about Matiullah’s abduction and held the Prime Minister at the time responsible incase if something happened to Matiullah.

It remains unclear as to who abducted Matiullah Jan and how he managed to land at the Margalla police station and disappear again. The PMLN government currently in power is yet to comment on the matter.

Senior Pakistani journalist Matiullah Jan has gone “missing” from the parking of a prominent hospital in Islamabad. Mati, 55, has been reporting on the PTI march to Islamabad and was investigating the government’s claim of no deaths taken place during the use of force by the establishment in a bid to push back the marching protesters from D-Chowk on Tuesday (November 26).

Senior Pakistani journalist Matiullah Jan has gone “missing” from the parking of a prominent hospital in Islamabad. Mati, 55, has been reporting on the PTI march to Islamabad and was investigating the government’s claim of no deaths taken place during the use of force by the establishment in a bid to push back the marching protesters from D-Chowk on Tuesday (November 26). Matiullah hosts a prominent mainstream TV show and also has a big YouTube presence and keeps the internet verse informed through his fearless vlogs. An FIR has surfaced 13 hours after Matiullah Jan went missing and what his family defines as abduction. The FIR by Islamabad police maintains that Matiullah Jan was under the influence of drugs when he rammed into a police barrier, snatched the gun from the policeman on duty and pointed the gun at him. Also read: Explosion heard near Delhi's Prashant Vihar, investigation underway Matiullah’s Family maintains that Matiullah went missing from the parking of PIMS hospital in Islamabad on November 27 at around 11 pm just before midnight. It is also pertinent to mention that for someone who has been alleged to be under the influence of drugs at the time of the claimed attack, Matiullah Jan does not even smokes, he has been a strong opponent of the use of any sort of drugs or tobacco. Mati’s son in a video statement confirmed that his father had gone missing from the parking of PIMS in Islamabad alongside another journalist just before midnight on November 27. The other journalist, Saqib Bashir, also a court reporter for a prominent Pakistani TV network was later released in one of the farther sectors of Islamabad. Saqib could not describe the event much saying that both were blindfolded. Disappearance of senior journalist Matiullah Jan is highly condemnable & matter of deep concern. The government's campaign to muzzle the media & critical voices is simply shameful. If something happens to Matiullah, PM will be held responsible. — Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) July 21, 2020 × Meanwhile, sources in Islamabad police said that Matiullah was at Margalla police station but refused to divulge details of the charges and case against him. Lawyers of Matiullah Jan, Imaan Mazari and Abdul Hadi Chatta said that “after quite a lot of back and forth and struggle, we did manage to get inside the Margalla police station to see our client but he was taken away from the police station before we could see him”. Matiullah is likely to be presented before an Anti Terrorism Court later today on charges that are unknown yet. Matiullah had been reporting from the ground on PTI’s protest and the reported use of excessive force. He had also been investigating the claims of deaths of PTI supporters as a result of the violence that ensued during clashes between protesters and the law enforcement agencies. Matiullah Jan's Abduction When Matiullah Jan was abducted in July 2020, the then Prime Minister Imran Khan while speaking to reporters after his ouster had said that he was not aware of Matiullah Jan’s abduction and that he had asked the then DG ISI Lt Gen(rtd) Faiz Hameed to find him immediate. Following his retirement, Pakistan’s former Army Chief Gen Rtd Qamar Bajwa rambled about the then abduction of Matiullah Jan while speaking to a journalist and said he had reprimanded the then chief of Pakistan’s premier spy agency on the “mannerism in which Matiullah Jan was kidnapped”. CCTV footage in July 2020 showed people in police uniforms abducting Matiullah Jan. However, the Islamabad police till date maintain they weren’t able to identify the vehicles used during the kidnapping. After the abduction, the then leader of the opposition who is now the Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif had tweeted about Matiullah’s abduction and held the Prime Minister at the time responsible incase if something happened to Matiullah. It remains unclear as to who abducted Matiullah Jan and how he managed to land at the Margalla police station and disappear again. The PMLN government currently in power is yet to comment on the matter.

Senior Pakistani journalist Matiullah Jan 'goes missing again'

A Pakistani journalist who has been a vocal critic of the military, government, and religious extremist groups, has been arrested on charges of defaming the country`s powerful army and spreading religious hatred, police said on Friday.

"Through his (social media) posts, Bilal Farooqi defamed the Pakistan Army and anti-state elements used these posts for their vested interests," said a police report seen by Reuters, which added that his online activity also spread religious hatred and incited mutiny against the military.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/culture-of-violence-in-pakistan-india-at-un-326744">Also read|&nbsp;‘Culture of violence’ in Pakistan: India at UN</a>

Farooqi's arrest is the latest in a spate of such moves against journalists who have been critical of the government and comes days after Prime Minister Imran Khan reiterated that Pakistan has a free media.

Farooqi has now been released by the Pakistani government after huge&nbsp;criticism.

In July, another journalist, Matiullah Jan, also a critic of Pakistan`s military and government, was freed hours after being abducted after his disappearance sparked outcry amongst journalists and rights activists.

No explanation was given for Jan's abduction.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/paks-watershed-moment-two-horrific-rapes-and-social-media-outrage-326949">Also read|&nbsp;Pak's watershed moment: Two horrific rapes and social media outrage</a>

In the case of Farooqi, police cited the country`s cyber crime law, which critics say contains vague language that can be used to criminalise basic online activities with fines and long-term imprisonment.

Online criticism of religion, the country, its courts and armed forces are among subjects attracting prosecution.

Earlier this week, a former journalist returned home days after disappearing from Islamabad. He has given no details about what happened to him.

Farooqi had written a tweet about the man`s "enforced disappearance," saying: "The powerful are above the law in this country."

Last year, journalist Shahzeb Jilani was charged under laws relating to cyber terrorism, hate speech, electronic fraud, incitement, and defamation, but the case was thrown out of court due to lack of evidence.

At least four journalists and bloggers have been killed in connection with their reporting in the last year in Pakistan.

Earlier this week, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed increasing concern at instances of incitement to violence against journalists and human rights defenders.

"We have raised our concerns directly with the government and we have urged immediate, concrete steps to ensure the protection of journalists and human rights defenders who have been subjected to threats," UNHCR said in a statement.

A Pakistani journalist who has been a vocal critic of the military, government, and religious extremist groups, has been arrested on charges of defaming the country`s powerful army and spreading religious hatred, police said on Friday.

A Pakistani journalist who has been a vocal critic of the military, government, and religious extremist groups, has been arrested on charges of defaming the country`s powerful army and spreading religious hatred, police said on Friday. "Through his (social media) posts, Bilal Farooqi defamed the Pakistan Army and anti-state elements used these posts for their vested interests," said a police report seen by Reuters, which added that his online activity also spread religious hatred and incited mutiny against the military. Also read| ‘Culture of violence’ in Pakistan: India at UN Farooqi's arrest is the latest in a spate of such moves against journalists who have been critical of the government and comes days after Prime Minister Imran Khan reiterated that Pakistan has a free media. Farooqi has now been released by the Pakistani government after huge criticism. In July, another journalist, Matiullah Jan, also a critic of Pakistan`s military and government, was freed hours after being abducted after his disappearance sparked outcry amongst journalists and rights activists. No explanation was given for Jan's abduction. Also read| Pak's watershed moment: Two horrific rapes and social media outrage In the case of Farooqi, police cited the country`s cyber crime law, which critics say contains vague language that can be used to criminalise basic online activities with fines and long-term imprisonment. Online criticism of religion, the country, its courts and armed forces are among subjects attracting prosecution. Earlier this week, a former journalist returned home days after disappearing from Islamabad. He has given no details about what happened to him. Farooqi had written a tweet about the man`s "enforced disappearance," saying: "The powerful are above the law in this country." Last year, journalist Shahzeb Jilani was charged under laws relating to cyber terrorism, hate speech, electronic fraud, incitement, and defamation, but the case was thrown out of court due to lack of evidence. At least four journalists and bloggers have been killed in connection with their reporting in the last year in Pakistan. Earlier this week, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed increasing concern at instances of incitement to violence against journalists and human rights defenders. "We have raised our concerns directly with the government and we have urged immediate, concrete steps to ensure the protection of journalists and human rights defenders who have been subjected to threats," UNHCR said in a statement.

Pakistani journalist,arrested for defaming military, released

Article 19 of Pakistan's constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression. It also guarantees freedom of the press with certain restrictions. But try exercising any of this. Best case scenario, you'll be muzzled. Worst case, you'll be murdered.

Censorship is the law of the land and journalism a crime in the country. Journalists are often punished for doing their job.

Matiullah Jan was abducted on the 21st of July and the incident happened in broad daylight in capital Islamabad.&nbsp;

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The abduction was caught on camera. The CCTV footage went viral and caught the attention of the people in Pakistan and outside. Questions were raised about Islamabad's crumbling law and order.

Some netizens compared the Pakistani establishment to a terror group. Others called the country a banana republic. Prayers poured in for Matiullah Jan whose abduction became the talk of the town.

Soon, Pakistan's judiciary had to step in. Jan was supposed to appear in Pakistan's apex court today. He was expected to speak in support of a judge Faiz Isa who is currently facing charges for failing to declare his assets.

Jan was supposed to speak in his favour. It did not take time for people to realise that his abduction was at an attempt by Pakistan's military to keep him away from the courtroom and pressure was building on Pakistan's authorities.&nbsp;

The pressure grew so much, that in a rare move the abductors had to release him after being held captive for around 12 hours.

The journalist tweeted that he is back home safe and sound. If Pakistan wants to do away with such abductions and enforced disappearances, it must address the root cause of the problem -- intolerance for freedom of speech and expression.

There have been many cases of brazen censorship in the last one year. Distribution of leading newspapers was interrupted. TV channels were take off the air for giving a platform to opposition leaders. Journalists were harassed for doing their jobs. Four journalists and bloggers were killed and the perpetrators were given absolute impunity.

Pakistan should not be allowed to call itself one till every journalist is Pakistan is safe.

Article 19 of Pakistan's constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression. It also guarantees freedom of the press with certain restrictions. But try exercising any of this.

Article 19 of Pakistan's constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression. It also guarantees freedom of the press with certain restrictions. But try exercising any of this. Best case scenario, you'll be muzzled. Worst case, you'll be murdered. Censorship is the law of the land and journalism a crime in the country. Journalists are often punished for doing their job. Matiullah Jan was abducted on the 21st of July and the incident happened in broad daylight in capital Islamabad. × The abduction was caught on camera. The CCTV footage went viral and caught the attention of the people in Pakistan and outside. Questions were raised about Islamabad's crumbling law and order. Some netizens compared the Pakistani establishment to a terror group. Others called the country a banana republic. Prayers poured in for Matiullah Jan whose abduction became the talk of the town. Soon, Pakistan's judiciary had to step in. Jan was supposed to appear in Pakistan's apex court today. He was expected to speak in support of a judge Faiz Isa who is currently facing charges for failing to declare his assets. Jan was supposed to speak in his favour. It did not take time for people to realise that his abduction was at an attempt by Pakistan's military to keep him away from the courtroom and pressure was building on Pakistan's authorities. The pressure grew so much, that in a rare move the abductors had to release him after being held captive for around 12 hours. The journalist tweeted that he is back home safe and sound. If Pakistan wants to do away with such abductions and enforced disappearances, it must address the root cause of the problem -- intolerance for freedom of speech and expression. There have been many cases of brazen censorship in the last one year. Distribution of leading newspapers was interrupted. TV channels were take off the air for giving a platform to opposition leaders. Journalists were harassed for doing their jobs. Four journalists and bloggers were killed and the perpetrators were given absolute impunity. Pakistan should not be allowed to call itself one till every journalist is Pakistan is safe.

Abduction of journalist exposes dark underbelly of freedom of speech in Pakistan

A Pakistani journalist, who has been a vocal critic of the powerful military and government, was released late Tuesday hours after the government confirmed he had been abducted, his family said.

“My husband was abducted this morning outside the school (in the capital Islamabad) where I work,” Kaneez Sughra, the wife of 51-year-old Matiullah Jan, told Reuters.

She said school security camera footage showed Jan, who had arrived to collect his wife from work, had been bundled into a car after being cornered by five vehicles - three of them unmarked, one with police markings and the other an ambulance.

“Thank God, he’s back,” Sughra said. He was left at the capital’s outskirts after around 12 hours’ captivity.

The military’s public relations wing did not respond to a request for comment on Jan’s reported abduction.

“It is clear that he has been abducted,” Information Minister Shibli Faraz said, adding that the government would put in all efforts to trace him and identify who could be behind the kidnapping.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) demanding Jan’s release said he was among the journalists the army accused of sharing anti-state remarks on social media in 2018.

Jan - one of thousands of journalists and media workers who were laid off during a security crackdown in the run-up to the 2018 general election - told Reuters last year he was forced out of his job after criticising army generals’ interference in politics, a charge the military denies.

Some journalists and bloggers critical of the military — including commentator Gul Bukhari who was abducted and set free in a similar fashion — that were rounded up in 2018 blamed the army’s intelligence arm, the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), for their detention. Pakistan’s army has denied any involvement in Bukhari’s abduction.

Bukhari and Jan both come from military families.

Jan was facing a contempt of court case for a Twitter post critical of Supreme Court judges, and he was due to appear in court on Wednesday.

“My husband had told me that he could be arrested in the case, but we never expected a kidnapping,” Sughra said.

A Pakistani journalist, who has been a vocal critic of the powerful military and government, was released late Tuesday hours after the government confirmed he had been abducted, his family said.

A Pakistani journalist, who has been a vocal critic of the powerful military and government, was released late Tuesday hours after the government confirmed he had been abducted, his family said. “My husband was abducted this morning outside the school (in the capital Islamabad) where I work,” Kaneez Sughra, the wife of 51-year-old Matiullah Jan, told Reuters. She said school security camera footage showed Jan, who had arrived to collect his wife from work, had been bundled into a car after being cornered by five vehicles - three of them unmarked, one with police markings and the other an ambulance. “Thank God, he’s back,” Sughra said. He was left at the capital’s outskirts after around 12 hours’ captivity. The military’s public relations wing did not respond to a request for comment on Jan’s reported abduction. “It is clear that he has been abducted,” Information Minister Shibli Faraz said, adding that the government would put in all efforts to trace him and identify who could be behind the kidnapping. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) demanding Jan’s release said he was among the journalists the army accused of sharing anti-state remarks on social media in 2018. Jan - one of thousands of journalists and media workers who were laid off during a security crackdown in the run-up to the 2018 general election - told Reuters last year he was forced out of his job after criticising army generals’ interference in politics, a charge the military denies. Some journalists and bloggers critical of the military — including commentator Gul Bukhari who was abducted and set free in a similar fashion — that were rounded up in 2018 blamed the army’s intelligence arm, the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), for their detention. Pakistan’s army has denied any involvement in Bukhari’s abduction. Bukhari and Jan both come from military families. Jan was facing a contempt of court case for a Twitter post critical of Supreme Court judges, and he was due to appear in court on Wednesday. “My husband had told me that he could be arrested in the case, but we never expected a kidnapping,” Sughra said.

Pakistani journalist critic of powerful military freed after abduction

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Senior Pakistani journalist Matiullah Jan 'goes missing again'

Pakistani journalist,arrested for defaming military, released

Abduction of journalist exposes dark underbelly of freedom of speech in Pakistan

Pakistani journalist critic of powerful military freed after abduction