Samaa journalist in Sukkur abducted and tortured

JournalismPakistan.com | Published 8 years ago | JP Staff Reporter

KARACHI - Samaa TV station head in Sukkur Imdad Phulpoto was abducted and tortured by police Thursday before being released hours later.

The channel reported the journalist had done several stories exposing Leader of the Opposition Syed Khursheed Shah.

Police barged into his house at 8:00am, tortured his family members before he was taken away.

Television images showed Phulpoto’s shirt stained in blood with bruises on his face and he appeared to limp.

Samaa quoted Phulpoto as saying his brother and a cousin were also picked up by police and tortured. "I wasn't asked anything by the police. They just kept torturing me." He said he was asked to sign a blank paper but he refused.

Journalists across the country protested the abduction.

Image courtesy: Samaa

Don't Miss These

Why was this DawnNews TV journalist targeted in a foiled murder plot?

October 31, 2025: Police foiled a plot to kill DawnNewsTV journalist Tahir Naseer in Rawalpindi after arresting suspects hired for Rs200,000. Naseer says threats followed his reporting.

Police storm National Press Club, attack journalists and smash equipment

October 02, 2025: Islamabad Police stormed the National Press Club, attacking journalists covering a protest. PFUJ condemns police brutality and vows action to protect press freedom.

Maleeha Hashmey alleges state harassment, travel ban, and SIM blocking

September 26, 2025: Broadcast journalist Maleeha Hashmey alleges harassment in Pakistan, citing travel ban, frozen bank accounts, and SIM blocking amid growing concerns over press freedom.

Journalist Imdad Soomro faces pressure after exposing corruption in Sindh Public Service Commission

September 25, 2025: Journalist Imdad Soomro says he faces pressure after exposing corruption in the Sindh Public Service Commission, as the SHC halts recruitment over a fresh scandal.

Freezing Meher Bokhari’s account: What Pakistan’s clampdown on journalists really aims to achieve

September 18, 2025: Meher Bokhari’s frozen account exposes Pakistan’s deepening media clampdown. Why are journalists facing bans, no-fly lists, and financial blockades?

Journalist Shahbaz Rana indicted despite factual report, unions say

September 13, 2025: Journalist unions in Islamabad protest the trial of senior reporter Shahbaz Rana, calling it biased and a threat to press freedom in Pakistan.

Samina Pasha says bank account frozen after Cyber Crime Agency complaint

September 13, 2025: Pakistani journalist Samina Pasha says her bank account was frozen by NCCIA, calling it part of efforts to silence critical media voices.

Bogus case registered in ongoing harassment of journalist Furqan Rao

September 03, 2025: IFJ and PFUJ condemn APP’s case against journalist Furqan Rao, calling it a political vendetta. Unions demand withdrawal of the FIR and an end to harassment.

Newsroom

Independent Media challenges funding rules in South Africa

December 11, 2025 Independent Media in South Africa has appealed funding eligibility rules tied to press-council oversight, raising wider questions about platform grants and regulatory compliance in global media.

Israel media access ban in Gaza draws international press condemnation

December 11, 2025 International press freedom groups condemned Israel’s ongoing ban on independent foreign journalists entering Gaza, characterizing escorted access as restrictive and undermining transparency and independent reporting.

Civic freedoms report warns shrinking space for media

December 11, 2025 Civic freedoms are shrinking globally, with Asia-Pacific repressed or closed spaces impacting journalists and reporting, raising serious risks for media freedom and independent coverage.

Journalists urge courts to quash warrants against Imaan Mazari, husband

December 10, 2025 Veteran journalists and rights activists raise alarm over non-bailable warrants against Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha, calling the NCIA case agenda-driven and a threat to free speech.

AI use in newsrooms rises sharply amid growing ethical concerns

December 10, 2025 Recent surveys show a surge in AI adoption among journalists for research, drafting, fact-checking, and multimedia tasks, but many express deep worry over accuracy, originality, and trust issues in media.