Pakistan’s anti-terrorism court grants two-day physical remand of journalist Matiullah Jan

Hours after being reported missing by family, prominent Pakistani journalist Matiullah Jan was presented in an anti-terrorism court (ATC) by the police, where he was handed over to them on a two-day physical remand.

Jan's son claimed that he was abducted by unidentified men in plain clothes from Islamabad.

In a complaint filed at the G-9 police station, Abdul Razzaq said his father was abducted at 11 p.m. local time on Wednesday from the parking lot of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad's main public hospital.

Jan's colleague, Saqib Bashir, who was accompanying him was also briefly detained before being released. It was Bashir who informed Jan’s family about the abduction at around 4 a.m. local time on Thursday.

The police presented Matiullah Jan before Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra, seeking a 30-day physical remand.

Jan’s lawyer, Hadi Ali, informed the court that the journalist had been reporting on alleged deaths during protests organized by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) over the weekend. The protests culminated at Islamabad's high-security D-Chowk on Wednesday.

Questioning the police's request, lawyer Faisal Chaudhry argued, “On what grounds is a 30-day physical remand being requested? Even a three-day remand is not justified.”

During the proceedings, Matiullah Jan stated, “I was arrested because I was working on the bodies of those martyred in the protest.”

The court initially reserved the ruling and then granted a two-day physical remand.

Jan's son demands justice

In a video message from his father's X handle, Razzaq said the abductors did not identify themselves or disclose whether they were from the police or paramilitary force Rangers.

"This is the Republic of Pakistan. Here, it seems there’s no need for representatives of the state to introduce themselves or provide explanations to the public," he said.

The vehicle carrying the two journalists stopped after about five minutes, likely at a “safe house,” Razzaq said.

At this spot, Bashir was told: “You are not involved in any issue. Matiullah is the issue.”

"My father’s so-called 'issue' is that he insists on reporting from the field and presenting the facts directly to the public. For this reason, these unidentified individuals—who consider themselves the true custodians of Pakistan—took him away," he said.

"No one has contacted us to explain why my father was taken or where he has been taken. Is this what the rule of law looks like?" he concluded.

Fellow journalist's eye witness account

Speaking to Nukta, Bashir corroborated what was narrated by Jan's son.

"Around 11 p.m., we were heading toward my car in the parking lot when several individuals approached us, covered our faces with a cloth, and forcibly took us away in a vehicle," he said.

With a cloth still covering their faces, the two journalists were taken into a room. The abductors told Bashir: “You have no involvement, so we won't harm you.”

The abductors were not violent, said Bashir, adding he was released two hours later at a deserted spot near I-9 sector of Islamabad.

“When we both were kept in the room, our faces were covered but Matti was constantly asking about my wellbeing, asking repeatedly that 'are you OK?'”

Saqib noted that while they were being held, no questions were asked, and the abductors' behavior was notably unusual. "They only inquired if we wanted tea, felt cold, or needed to use the restroom," he said.

Strange charges

A first investigation report (FIR) filed by police circulating on social media levels strange charges on Jan, including possession of drugs and the assault of a police officer.

According to the FIR, Jan's car was signaled to stop at a checkpoint in Islamabad on the night of November 28. However, the vehicle struck Constable Mudassir, who was on duty, causing him injuries.

When the car was stopped, Jan allegedly seized an official weapon from the officer and issued death threats. The report also states that Jan appeared to be under the influence of drugs.

Additionally, a white plastic bag was recovered from beneath the driver's seat of Jan's car, containing 246 grams of crystal methamphetamine (commonly known as "ice").

Jan's lawyer Imaan Mazari told Nukta, “We just received a copy of the FIR, but only through our sources, not from officials."

ejecting the charges against her client as "false," she stated that their team had been waiting at the ATC in Islamabad, but the authorities had not presented Jan in court at that time..

They have booked Jan for possession of drugs as it is a non-bailable offense, she further said.

Investigating casualties in anti-government protest

The two journalists were visiting the hospital to verify reports of alleged deaths during weekend protests organized by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) that culminated at Islamabad's high security D-Chowk on Wednesday.

Jan was investigating casualties caused during a security operation on Wednesday night against anti-government protesters seeking the release of jailed PTI founder Imran Khan.

A day before his alleged abduction, Jan questioned the silence of the government on reports of civilian casualties during the protests.

Lack of transparency

Meanwhile, Islamabad’s two main public hospitals, Poly Clinic and PIMS have not released any official figures regarding the casualties.

Instead, both institutions issued clarifications denying the authenticity of circulating lists of casualties with gunshot wounds, calling them fabricated and fake.

This lack of transparency has fueled public speculation and concern.

Despite repeated attempts, Information Minister Atta Tarrar was not available for comments.

This is the second time Jan has been abducted; he was previously taken in July 2020 and released after 12 hours.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had strongly condemned Jan's previous abduction, calling it "highly condemnable" and warning that the Prime Minister - Imran Khan at the time - would be held responsible.

Deteriorating press freedom

Pakistan's press freedom remains precarious, ranking 150th out of 180 on the World Press Freedom Index, with escalating violence and threats against journalists undermining efforts to safeguard their rights.

Between August 2021 and August 2023, 11 journalists lost their lives, and numerous others faced threats or attacks, according to Freedom Networks, an Islamabad-based watchdog.

European Union Ambassador to Pakistan, Riina Kionka, has called for clarity regarding the disappearance of journalist Matiullah Jan.

"Where is Matiullah Jan?" she said on X.

Screenshot of EU ambassador to Pakistan's tweet demanding to know whereabouts of Jan

Rights groups condemn abduction

Rights organizations have issued strong condemnations of Jan's detention. Amnesty International South Asia called it "an affront on the right to freedom of expression and media freedom," demanding his immediate release and urging Pakistani authorities to drop what they termed "politically motivated charges." The organization emphasized that Jan was investigating fatalities and injuries from the crackdown on PTI protests when he was taken.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) also demanded Jan's "immediate and unconditional release," characterizing his arrest as an "authoritarian tactic to silence journalists."

The Committee to Protect Journalists' Asia office expressed "grave alarm" over the incident, drawing attention to the concerning context that Jan's previous abduction in 2020 remains unresolved with "complete impunity." CPJ called for ensuring Jan's safety, his immediate release, and a swift, impartial investigation into the incident.

All three organizations connected Jan's abduction to his coverage of recent protests by supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan, suggesting a pattern of intimidation against journalists covering political dissent in Pakistan.