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March 20, 2025 – Pakistan –
In March 2025, U.S.-based Pakistani investigative journalist Ahmad Noorani reported that his two brothers were abducted from their home in Islamabad, allegedly by operatives of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and local police. This incident occurred shortly after Noorani published an exposé detailing alleged nepotism by Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir, accusing him of placing relatives in key federal positions.
According to Noorani, approximately two dozen armed individuals identifying themselves as police forcibly entered his family’s residence around midnight on March 18. They reportedly assaulted his brothers, Mohammad Saif ur Rehman Haider and Mohammad Ali, in front of their mother, before taking them to an undisclosed location.
In response, Noorani’s mother, Amina Bashir, filed a writ petition in the Islamabad High Court seeking the immediate release of her sons. The court subsequently summoned the Islamabad Inspector General of Police to explain the abductions.
The incident has drawn condemnation from international organizations. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) labeled the abductions as likely retaliatory acts and called for the immediate release of Noorani’s brothers. Amnesty International also condemned the enforced disappearances, highlighting them as indicative of the ongoing repression of dissent in Pakistan.
This event follows previous threats against Noorani and his family. In 2017, Noorani survived a violent attack in Pakistan, and in 2021, his wife was reportedly threatened. Additionally, Noorani has faced multiple charges under Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) for his reporting on sensitive topics, including the situation in Balochistan.
The abduction of Noorani’s brothers underscores the challenges faced by journalists in Pakistan, particularly those investigating powerful military figures. It also highlights the broader issue of press freedom and the risks associated with reporting on government and military affairs in the country.
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