Kazakhstan Must Ensure Fair Appeal for Journalist Daniyar Adilbekov
November 28, 2024
Al Jazeera Journalist Talal Aruki Injured Amid Gaza Attacks
November 28, 2024
November 28, 2024 – Pakistan –
Veteran Pakistani journalist Matiullah Jan was arrested in Islamabad under serious charges, including terrorism, drug possession, and assaulting law enforcement. The arrest occurred after Jan and fellow journalist Saqib Bashir were taken by men in black uniforms from the parking lot of PIMS Hospital. While Bashir was released hours later, Jan was held without communication and transferred into police custody the following day.
Authorities claimed Jan rammed a checkpoint, assaulted a police officer, and was found in possession of 246 grams of methamphetamine. He was charged under Pakistan’s Anti-Terrorism Act, narcotics law, and multiple sections of the Penal Code. Jan’s legal team and numerous rights groups immediately challenged the legitimacy of these allegations, calling them politically motivated and unsupported by evidence.
The arrest sparked a wave of condemnation from both domestic and international press freedom organizations. The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), and Amnesty International denounced the case as a blatant misuse of anti-terror laws to silence a critical voice. Jan had been reporting on government handling of protest-related violence, including allegations of extrajudicial killings during demonstrations led by supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The Islamabad High Court quickly converted Jan’s physical remand into judicial custody, and on November 30, an anti-terrorism court granted him bail. He was released on December 1 after posting a PKR 20,000 surety bond. In a voice message shared with supporters, Jan described his arrest as an attempt to “teach him a lesson” for challenging official narratives.
Jan’s detention echoes a 2020 incident when he was abducted by unidentified men after criticizing the judiciary. His re-arrest highlights growing concerns about the shrinking space for independent journalism in Pakistan, where state institutions increasingly deploy legal tools to suppress dissent.
While his release is a temporary relief, the charges remain, and the incident underscores the urgent need for legal reforms to protect journalists from state retaliation. Jan’s case is a stark warning about the dangers facing those who dare to question authority in Pakistan’s volatile political climate.
Reference –
https://www.dw.com/en/khan-protest-pakistan-reporter-matiullah-jan-arrested/a-70907445
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2512475/islamabad-police-arrest-journalist-matiullah-jan
