ISLAMABAD: Conducting the hearing of a petition filed for Matiullah Jan’s recovery (who was kidnapped from outside the school where he dropped his wife and released after 12 hours on Tuesday 21st July, 2020) IHC stated that the entire state was responsible for the incident. However, since the journalist has been released the case was wrapped-up.
IHC pointing towards broad daylight enlevement of a Media person asked: “Have all institutions been destroyed? Where was Islamabad Police? How could this happen in the federal capital? How did anyone, wearing a police uniform, dare to abduct a person? What perception does this send to the common person that people here are walking about in police uniforms sans fear?”
CJ of IHC noting that the case pertained to the freedom of speech and the Press maintained that crimes against journalists should end now: “Whatever happened today, the entire state is responsible for it. The incumbent government also talks about freedom of press. Well, the CCTV footage is available. This is a test case for the police and the federal government.”
Meanwhile, a 3-member bench of SCP headed by CJP Gulzar Ahmed (hearing a suo motu case pertaining to alleged contemptuous tweets by Matiullah Jan) had taken notice of the short-term enlevement of the journalist here today and directed the Police Chief to submit a report on the incident in two weeks. AG, who had appeared before court today, said that immediate proceedings had been initiated in the matter.
It may be recalled that Sr. journalist Matiullah Jan, who was abducted by personnel in uniform from Sector G-6/1-3 in the morning of Tuesday 21st of July was released twelve hours later (in a deserted area near Fateh Jung). According to Matiullah Jan he was blindfolded and driven around Islamabad before being released.
Meanwhile, Minister for Science and Technology Chaudhry Fawad Hussain took to the Twitter to say that he was delighted to hear this good news… welcome back. Instead people were expecting him, or others at the helm of affairs, to explain why the episode happened and what punishment the kidnappers are going to get.
Earlier, President Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) G. M. Jamali and Secretary General Rana Muhammad Azeem, condemning the abduction of Senior Journalist Matiullah Jan had demanded the concerned authorities to ensure his safety and immediate recovery.
PFUJ leadership stated that abduction of a senior journalist in broad daylight from Federal Capital by uniformed personnel manifested who were the kidnappers and what were their intentions. PFUJ Leadership had demanded the Prime Minister and Honorable Judiciary to act immediately ensuring immediate recovery of Matiullah Jan and legal action against his kidnappers.
G.M. Jamali and Rana Muhammad Azeem, in their joint statement had warned in case their demands were not met sans delay, PFUJ would commence a series of country-wide protests and go to any extent for the recovery of their confrère.
According to CCTV footage a number of men forced Matiullah Jan into a sedan outside the main gate of the school where his wife teaches. Before that he had thrown his mobile inside the school but a female school personnel gave it back to the man in uniform who demanded for it from other side of the main gate.
This morning at 11.05 am Matiullah Jan had tweeted a video of a journalist’s interview stating: “This is for the attention of those who sit in the simulated air conditioned environment of rule of law in Pakistan and who think criticism on them is a bigger crime than the violation of the inviolable dignity of a human being.”
It is pertinent to mention here that Matiullah Jan appeared before SCP today (Wednesday 22nd of July, 2020) regarding a suo motu notice of a ‘contemptuous’ tweet by him. Meanwhile, IG Islamabad had also been summoned to brief Senate Committee on Human Rights today on abduction of Matiullah Jan.
HRCP demanded immediate release of Matiullah Jan: “The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) endorses the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ)’s demand for the federal government to take immediate measures for the safe release of senior journalist Matiullah Jan, who was abducted today outside the college in Islamabad where his wife teaches.
“We are deeply concerned at increasing attempts to control the media, suppress independent voices, and curb political dissent, thereby creating an environment of constant fear. Matiullah Jan has stood courageously by the people of Pakistan striving to realise their constitutional and fundamental rights. It is the responsibility of the government to provide safety and security to every citizen, irrespective of his or her religious or political beliefs. Mr Jan’s abduction is an act of cowardice and warrants immediate redressal.”
Amnesty International South Asia took to the Twitter to hold: “Journalism is not a crime!…We are extremely concerned for the fate and well-being of @matiullahjan919. He has been the subject of physical attacks and harassment for his journalism. The authorities must establish his whereabouts immediately. #ReleaseMatiullah.”
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