Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon announced on Sunday that he has received the report regarding the abduction of the Daily Jang reporter in Karachi last night, and efforts to locate him are currently underway.
Eyewitnesses reported that another member of the journalist community, Syed Muhammad Askari, was apprehended by police and unidentified individuals.
During a press conference in Karachi, Minister Memon stated that he has communicated with the management of the newspaper regarding the incident.
“I have discussed the matter with the additional IG police. Syed Mohammad Askari is currently being traced,” Memon added.
According to an eyewitness who was present with Askari at the time of the incident, a police vehicle and a white car intercepted their vehicle near the Qayyumabad KPT Interchange on Korangi Road while they were returning from a wedding. They were forcefully taken away without any explanation, despite Askari introducing himself to the individuals. The journalist was subjected to physical assault before being taken into custody. However, the eyewitness was subsequently released and brought the vehicle to the Jang office to report the incident.
When Askari’s friend contacted the police helpline, Madadgar 15, to describe the ordeal, the receiving officer instructed him to approach the relevant police station, as reported by The News.
As of this morning, the whereabouts of the reporter have yet to be determined.
The incident was also reported to SHO Rao Rafiq of Zaman Town Police Station, but he claimed to be unaware of the situation.
Korangi SSP Tariq Nawaz stated that information about the incident is currently being gathered.
The family, along with members of the Karachi Press Club, Karachi Union of Journalists, and the Education Reporters Association, have demanded immediate action from the authorities to locate and recover Askari.
This incident follows a series of similar abductions of journalists in Karachi, including the recent case of Zubair Anjum, a Geo News journalist who was abducted from his residence in Karachi’s Model Colony area last month. Fortunately, Anjum returned home unharmed a day after his abduction.
