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Journalist Matiullah Jan Arrested on Terrorism and Narcotics Charges Amid Outcry
📰 Press Freedom Under Fire! Senior journalist Matiullah Jan faces two-day remand on controversial terrorism and narcotics charges. Rights groups and the journalism community demand his immediate release, calling the charges “bogus.”
ND
by News Desk
2024-11-28
Journalist Matiullah Jan Arrested on Terrorism and Narcotics Charges Amid Outcry

Senior journalist Matiullah Jan was remanded for two days in police custody on Thursday after being charged with terrorism and narcotics offenses, a move widely criticized as “politically motivated” and an attack on press freedom.

Jan, who has been an outspoken critic of government policies, was reportedly arrested late Wednesday night near the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad. His son claimed he was “abducted” by unidentified individuals in an unmarked vehicle.

An FIR filed by Margalla police accused Jan of possessing 246 grams of methamphetamine and assaulting police officers during a vehicle check. The charges also included provisions under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and the Pakistan Penal Code. However, colleagues and rights activists argue that the allegations are baseless and aimed at silencing Jan’s journalistic work.

Rights groups, including Amnesty International, have condemned the arrest. In a statement, the organization called Jan’s detention “an affront to freedom of expression” and demanded the immediate withdrawal of “politically motivated charges.”

Jan’s legal counsel and supporters have raised serious concerns over his treatment. During his court appearance, Jan criticized the authorities for undermining institutional integrity. His lawyer, Hadi Ali Chatta, dismissed the narcotics allegations as absurd, vowing to prove Jan’s innocence.

“This is not about drugs or terrorism,” Chatta stated. “This is about silencing a fearless journalist who has consistently reported the truth.”

The case has drawn widespread condemnation from the journalist fraternity. Human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir described the charges as “blatantly false,” while senior journalists and colleagues labeled the incident as an alarming escalation in the suppression of press freedoms.

As Jan’s supporters prepare to challenge the remand decision, the incident has reignited debates about media freedom in Pakistan, with many questioning the growing use of intimidation tactics against dissenting voices.
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