Islamabad, Pakistan – Rights groups have demanded information about the whereabouts of a prominent Pakistani journalist, known for his criticism of the country’s powerful army, after he reportedly disappeared on Tuesday.
Police said Matiullah Jan was last seen outside a government school in the Pakistani capital Islamabad on Tuesday morning.
“He came here to the government girls’ school in the G-6 [neighbourhood], where his wife is a teacher, to leave her, “said Nasrullah, an officer investigating the case.” His car is still standing here. “
“We are currently investigating the case and no formal charges have yet been filed.”
Jan’s wife Kaneez Sughra, 42, told Al Jazeera that she heard sounds of a fight outside of school, but that she had not seriously thought about it at the time.
“The school is closed and there are no children here, but we have a little work there to write letters or other administrative work, so I was there.”
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Sughra said Jan dropped her off at school at 10 am local time (05:00 GMT) and asked to be picked up three hours later. About an hour later, she heard the noise outside the door.
“I could hear that something was happening outside, but I couldn’t hear my husband’s voice. What I heard was for four or five seconds. Then at 1.15pm (08:15 GMT) when I called, he didn’t respond.”
Sughra said she left the school and saw that her car was still standing where Jan had left it. “The car was unlocked and the keys were in. You could tell by the condition of the car that it was forcibly removed.”
Pakistani Information Minister Shibli Faraz acknowledged the kidnapping at a press conference in Islamabad. Faraz spoke after a weekly cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan.
“I assure you that, although I do not have all the details, it is clear that he was kidnapped,” Faraz said. “We will do everything we can to find out where it is today and what steps must be taken to recover it. It is obvious that this is the government’s duty, and the government will fulfill its duties.”
Threats from many actors.
Journalists in Pakistan are threatened by a variety of actors, with human rights groups denouncing the increase in government and military censorship, intimidation and harassment of journalists in recent years.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) rights group ranked Pakistan 145th out of 180 countries on its 2020 World Press Freedom Index.
Since 1992, at least 61 Pakistani journalists have been killed in connection with their work, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
“We are extremely concerned about the fate and well-being of Matiullah Jan,” Amnesty International said shortly after the reported disappearance.
“He has been subjected to physical attacks and harassment for his journalism. The authorities must establish his whereabouts immediately.”
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The Pakistan Human Rights Commission (HRCP) demanded that the government “immediately guarantee the safe recovery of journalist Matiullah Jan”.
“We are deeply concerned by the increasing attempts to control the media, suppress independent voices and curb political dissent, thereby creating an environment of constant fear,” said Mehdi Hasan, president of HRCP.
“Matiullah Jan has courageously supported the people of Pakistan as they strive to realize their constitutional and fundamental rights … Jan’s kidnapping is an act of cowardice and warrants immediate redress.”
HRCP demands that the government immediately guarantee the safe recovery of journalist @ Matiullahjan919, whose family confirms that he has been lost.
– Pakistan Human Rights Commission (@ HRCP87) July 21, 2020
Last year, an Al Jazeera investigation uncovered a sustained campaign of censorship through widespread distribution disruptions and intimidation in Pakistan, allegedly committed by Pakistan’s military and civilian governments.
Late on Tuesday, prominent Pakistani newscaster Hamid Mir told Al Jazeera that a segment of his nightly program reporting on Jan’s kidnapping was “censored” before it was broadcast without explanation.
Jan, known for his outspoken political commentary, had become increasingly critical of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government since 2018, when he resigned from hosting a news television show on the Waqt News television station.
He has also pointed to the country’s military, which has directly governed it for approximately half of its 73-year history since independence, by private criticism, often using tongue-in-cheek YouTube videos to mock top military and civilian officials.
Last week, the country’s Supreme Court issued a contempt notice to Jan over a tweet in which he had criticized the judiciary.
Asad Hashim is Al Jazeera’s digital correspondent in Pakistan. He tweets @AsadHashim
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