The Islamabad High Court has suspended the two-day physical remand of journalist Matiullah Jan, ruling that he should now be considered under judicial remand. The decision comes after a legal challenge to Jan's detention on charges of assault, drug possession, and other offenses.
Jan, a senior journalist known for his critical reporting, was arrested by Islamabad police earlier this week. The Anti-Terrorism Court had granted police a two-day physical remand, allowing them to hold him in custody. However, during a hearing on Thursday, the Islamabad High Court reviewed the case and ruled that Jan should no longer be held under physical remand.
The Legal Challenge
Jan's lawyers, including prominent attorney Imaan Mazari, filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court, arguing that the charges against him were false and fabricated. The petition highlighted that the First Information Report (FIR), which listed charges such as drug possession and assaulting a police officer, did not provide any clear evidence to support these claims. Jan's defense team also pointed out that there was no mention of drug-related offenses in the FIR.
During the court session, Rashid Ali Azad, the President of the Islamabad High Court Bar, read the FIR aloud and questioned the legitimacy of the accusations. The court ultimately agreed to suspend the physical remand and directed authorities to place Jan under judicial remand.
The Arrest and Allegations
Matiullah Jan's arrest followed a controversial incident in which he was accused of attempting to ram his car into a police checkpoint on Margalla Road. The police claimed Jan, who was allegedly under the influence of drugs, assaulted officers and attempted to steal a weapon. They also reported finding crystal meth (commonly known as "ice") in his vehicle.
However, Jan has denied all charges, describing the accusations as part of an effort to silence him for his critical reporting. Speaking to the media, Jan emphasized, "Everyone knows I don’t even smoke, let alone use drugs. This is an attempt to undermine institutions and suppress critical journalism. But I am not afraid."
Kidnapping and Abduction Allegations
Jan's family has raised serious concerns about the way he was taken into custody. His son filed a complaint claiming that Jan had been abducted from the parking lot of PIMS Hospital late Wednesday night by men in plain clothes. Journalist Saqib Bashir, who was with Jan at the time, also confirmed the incident, stating that they were both forced into a vehicle by armed men with their faces covered. Bashir was released after two hours, but Jan was handed over to the police.
Bashir described the incident as a kidnapping, and both he and Jan’s family are pursuing legal action. The abduction has sparked anger among journalists, with many seeing it as part of a broader effort to suppress press freedom in Pakistan.
A Troubling Pattern
This is not the first time Matiullah Jan has faced such treatment. In July 2020, he was also abducted by unidentified individuals, only to be released after 12 hours. That incident, too, sparked widespread condemnation from human rights groups and journalists.
The latest case has further raised concerns about the state of press freedom in Pakistan. Journalists' unions and rights organizations are calling for a fair investigation and the immediate release of Jan, describing the charges against him as politically motivated.
Press Freedom Under Threat
The arrest of Matiullah Jan has drawn attention both inside Pakistan and internationally. Many see it as part of an ongoing campaign to silence critical voices in the media. The accusations against Jan, as well as the circumstances surrounding his arrest, have been widely condemned by press freedom advocates, who argue that the incident is a direct attack on independent journalism.
Organizations like Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists have expressed concern over the deteriorating press freedom in Pakistan, calling on the government to ensure the safety and rights of journalists.
As the legal battle continues, the case remains a flashpoint for debates over free speech and media independence in the country.
