JournalismPakistan.com | Published May 18, 2016
Join our WhatsApp channel
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Wednesday expressed grave concern for Pakistani journalist Zeenat Shahzadi who has been missing since August 2015. It demanded that Pakistan’s authorities take immediate action to find her kidnappers and reveal the status of investigations into the disappearance of the young woman reporter.
Zeenat Shahzadi, a journalist for the Daily Nai Khabar and Metro News in Lahore, disappeared on her way to work in an auto-rickshaw. Police are understood to have registered a case against ‘unknown men’, but to date, no developments have been made public. Zeenat’s family alleges that she was targeted by Pakistan’s Special Forces for her reporting.
The IFJ and its affiliate the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) have been aware of the case since October 2015 but at the request of the family did not make the case public.
According to reports, Zeenat’s older brother Latif said that prior to her disappearance, Zeenat had been investigating another disappearance – that of Indian engineer Hamid Ansari. Ansari went missing in November 2012, after he entered Pakistan illegally. She had moved an application with the Supreme Court in Pakistan human right’s cell and had also sent an application to the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances. She was due to appear before the Commission on August 24. Following the disappearance of Zeenat, the Pakistan ministry of defence revealed that Ansari was in the custody of the army and awaiting a trial in military courts.
Nine months on, the tragedy for the Shahzadi family has worsened. In a devastating turn of events, Saddam, Zeenat’s younger brother took his own life in March 2016. Zeenat’s mother, Kaneez Bibi, said he was not able cope with the loss of his sister.
On April 3, 2016 Hina Jilani from the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said that in March alone, 86 cases of missing people were registered with the Commission, which was demanding a thorough probe into Shahzadi’s disappearance. Jilani said: “Disappearance of Shehzadi is shamelessness. Now a 24-year-old woman has been picked up without a warrant. Is this the new trend to pick up young women? We want to know what her crime was and why she is missing without a warrant?”
The IFJ said: “This is an absolute disgrace that a young female journalist has gone missing and yet there is no sign of action from Pakistan’s authorities. Meanwhile, Zeenat Shahzadi’s family have been left to suffer their daughter’s unknown fate with devastating personal consequences for her family. The Pakistani government must open an investigation into the disappearance of Zeenat Shahzadi, and provide a brief to her family and the public regarding information they have obtained. Shahzadi has now been missing for nine months, with little to no action from the local authorities or government.”
The IFJ has also called on the government to investigate any possible links between the special forces or military in Zeenat Shahzadi’s disappearance and the connection with the Hamid Ansari case.
According to the IFJ Without A Trace website which documents the cases of missing media workers across the Asia-Pacific region, Shahzadi is now the 11th media worker missing in the region, and the second female. - IFJ media release
Related posts from JournalismPakistan.com Archives:
Family of missing journalist who helped Indian seek Nawaz Sharif's help
Dawn CEO's help sought in tracing missing Indian
December 05, 2024: UNESCO and IRADA hosted a national consultation in Islamabad, calling for inclusive Internet governance reforms in Pakistan to protect digital rights, freedom of expression, and access to information through multi-stakeholder collaboration.
December 04, 2024: A viral video claiming journalist Matiullah Jan was expelled from PMA has been debunked by iVerify Pakistan. The video, edited with AI, originates from the drama serial Ehd-e-Wafa.
November 30, 2024: Journalist Matiullah Jan has been released from Adiala Jail after securing bail, ending fears of a potential transfer to Attock Jail. He expressed gratitude to supporters and shared light-hearted moments about his custody.
November 30, 2024: Daily Dawn condemns the arrest of journalist Matiullah Jan as a misuse of the law. The editorial highlights concerns over the state's weaponization of legal provisions against journalists, activists, and dissenters.
November 30, 2024: The Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court has granted bail to journalist Matiullah Jan in a case involving drugs and terrorism charges. He was released on a surety bond of PKR 10,000 following the suspension of his physical remand by the Islamabad High Court.
November 29, 2024: The Lahore High Court has ordered the production of journalist Shakir Mahmood Awan’s alleged kidnapper by Monday while summoning IG Punjab and demanding CCTV footage from Safe City.
November 29, 2024: Suno TV faces criticism for targeting senior journalist Matiullah Jan with a smear campaign following his controversial abduction and arrest. This raises serious concerns about media ethics and press freedom in Pakistan.
November 29, 2024: WISPAP has requested the Ministry of Interior to extend the deadline for VPN registration in Pakistan, citing the need to ensure compliance amid increasing VPN usage after platform bans.
December 05, 2024 Over 50 journalists protested in Kuala Lumpur against proposed amendments to the Printing Presses and Publications Act, which threaten press freedom. IFJ and NUJM urge the government to withdraw the bill and engage in stakeholder consultation.
December 04, 2024 The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 faces uncertainty as Pakistan's hosting rights clash with India's refusal to participate. A political and financial standoff unfolds.
December 03, 2024 Submit your work for the Global Shining Light Award by February 28, 2025. Celebrate investigative journalism from the Global South at the Kuala Lumpur conference.
November 21, 2024 Investigative journalist Rana Ayyub received over 200 threats after her phone number was leaked on social media by a right-wing content creator. IFJ and IJU demand Maharashtra authorities take immediate action against those responsible for this targeted online harassment.
November 20, 2024 Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Germany is accepting applications for its 2025 Berlin Fellowship Program, offering journalists from crisis areas six months of digital security training, networking opportunities, and more.