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March 26, 2025March 26, 2025 – Pakistan –
Pakistani journalist Waheed Murad was forcibly taken from his home in Islamabad on March 26, 2025, by masked men in black uniforms who arrived in vehicles including police cars. According to Murad’s family, the men accused him of being Afghan and, despite showing his identity card, forcibly entered his home, confiscated his and his mother-in-law’s phones, and abducted him in a black vehicle. This alarming incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of journalists in Pakistan.
Following the abduction, Murad’s mother-in-law petitioned the Islamabad High Court, naming several government officials and agencies, and demanding his immediate recovery. The petition also highlighted that Murad had recently been outspoken about the enforced disappearance of two brothers of another journalist, Ahmad Noorani. Murad’s case fits into a broader pattern of enforced disappearances and intimidation of media professionals in Pakistan.
On March 28, after being held in custody, Murad was presented before a judicial magistrate and granted bail. He had been charged under Pakistan’s cybercrime laws for allegedly posting “intimidating content” online. The charges stemmed from his sharing of a report that included images of the army chief’s family, which authorities claimed amounted to spreading false and misleading information. These charges have been widely criticized as an attempt to silence dissent and restrict press freedom.
The abduction and detention of Waheed Murad have sparked condemnation from media organizations, human rights groups, and international press freedom advocates. They warn that such incidents create a chilling effect on journalism, undermining the ability of reporters to operate freely and hold those in power accountable.
This case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by journalists in Pakistan, where enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, and legal harassment have become tools to suppress critical voices. Waheed Murad’s forced disappearance and subsequent treatment highlight the urgent need for stronger protections for journalists and respect for freedom of expression in the country.
Reference –
Pakistani journalist Waheed Murad seized from home in the night
https://www.dawn.com/news/1900431/journalist-waheed-murad-forcibly-disappeared-in-islamabad-family