JournalismPakistan.com | Published March 26, 2025 at 07:28 pm | JP Staff Report
Join our WhatsApp channelISLAMABAD—A district court in Islamabad has handed journalist Waheed Murad over to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on a two-day physical remand. The FIA’s Cybercrime Wing registered a case against him under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), Murad shared a news report by exiled journalist Ahmad Noorani on his social media account on March 18. The report contained pictures of the Army Chief’s family, accompanied by allegedly inflammatory remarks. The FIR further claims that Murad posted highly provocative content on social media, prompting the Cybercrime Wing to take action.
Murad was arrested at 2:05 AM on Wednesday from his residence in Islamabad’s G-8 sector. The FIR also mentions a post he allegedly made on March 12 regarding Balochistan.
Murad, a journalist affiliated with Urdu News and founder of the news portal Pakistan 24, was reportedly taken away by armed individuals dressed in black uniforms. According to a complaint filed at the Karachi Company police station, three vehicles carrying armed men arrived at Murad’s residence.
His wife, currently in Canada, stated that the armed men accused Murad of being an Afghan national and demanded that he step outside. Despite showing his Pakistani identity card through the door, the armed men broke in, confiscated his phone, and forcibly took him away. His mother-in-law, who was present at the time, was also harassed, and her phone was seized.
One of Murad’s colleagues, who tried to follow the men, was severely beaten. His cell phones were snatched, and his motorcycle was damaged.
اسلام آباد—اسلام آباد کی ایک ضلعی عدالت نے صحافی وحید مراد کو دو روزہ جسمانی ریمانڈ پر وفاقی تحقیقاتی ایجنسی (ایف آئی اے) کے حوالے کر دیا ہے۔ ان کے خلاف ایف آئی اے کے سائبر کرائم ونگ نے 2016 کے پی ای سی اے ایکٹ کے تحت مقدمہ درج کیا۔
ایف آئی آر کے مطابق، مراد نے 18 مارچ کو جلاوطن صحافی احمد نورانی کی ایک رپورٹ اپنے سوشل میڈیا اکاؤنٹ پر شیئر کی تھی، جس میں آرمی چیف کے خاندان کی تصاویر شامل تھیں اور مبینہ طور پر اشتعال انگیز تبصرے کیے گئے تھے۔ ایف آئی آر میں مزید کہا گیا کہ مراد نے اپنے سوشل میڈیا اکاؤنٹس پر انتہائی اشتعال انگیز مواد شیئر کیا، جس پر سائبر کرائم ونگ نے کارروائی کی۔
مراد کو بدھ کی رات 2:05 بجے اسلام آباد کے سیکٹر جی-8 میں واقع ان کی رہائش گاہ سے گرفتار کیا گیا۔ ایف آئی آر میں یہ بھی ذکر کیا گیا ہے کہ انہوں نے 12 مارچ کو بلوچستان سے متعلق ایک پوسٹ کی تھی۔
مراد، جو اردو نیوز سے وابستہ اور پاکستان 24 نیوز پورٹل کے بانی ہیں، کو مبینہ طور پر سیاہ وردیوں میں ملبوس مسلح افراد زبردستی لے گئے۔ کراچی کمپنی تھانے میں درج شکایت کے مطابق، تین گاڑیوں میں سوار مسلح افراد ان کے گھر پہنچے۔
ان کی اہلیہ، جو اس وقت کینیڈا میں مقیم ہیں، نے بتایا کہ حملہ آوروں نے ان کے شوہر کو افغان شہری قرار دیا اور انہیں باہر آنے کا کہا۔ جب مراد نے دروازے کے نیچے سے اپنا پاکستانی شناختی کارڈ دکھایا، تو مسلح افراد نے زبردستی اندر گھس کر ان کا موبائل فون ضبط کر لیا اور انہیں گھسیٹ کر لے گئے۔ اس دوران ان کی ساس کو بھی ہراساں کیا گیا اور ان کا فون بھی لے لیا گیا۔
مراد کے ایک ساتھی، جو مسلح افراد کا پیچھا کرنے کی کوشش کر رہے تھے، کو شدید تشدد کا نشانہ بنایا گیا، ان کے موبائل فونز چھین لیے گئے، اور ان کی موٹر سائیکل کو نقصان پہنچایا گیا۔
June 11, 2025: Pakistan celebrated a narrow win over Bangladesh, but beneath the jubilation lies a deeper crisis—from sidelined veterans to a collapsing domestic structure—signaling an urgent need for cricket reform.
June 11, 2025: Journalists walked out of the post-budget press conference in Islamabad to protest the absence of a technical briefing and the government's dismissive behavior, calling it unacceptable and intolerable.
May 31, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz has issued a defamation notice to Shoaib Akhtar over derogatory remarks made during a recent broadcast, reigniting a longstanding media feud between the two prominent figures in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has demanded the full repeal of PECA, citing its vague language, coercive powers, and threats to free speech and digital rights in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the murder of journalist Syed Mohammed Shah in Jacobabad, calling for urgent justice and improved safety for media professionals in Sindh.
May 26, 2025: In Rawalpindi, police allegedly side with Jang Group to block 66 reinstated employees from resuming work despite court orders, drawing sharp criticism from unions and press freedom advocates.
May 25, 2025: PFUJ condemns the Jang Group's decision to dismiss over 80 employees in Rawalpindi, calling it an 'economic massacre.' The union warns of nationwide protests if workers are not reinstated.
May 25, 2025: Daily Jang Rawalpindi has terminated over 80 employees, including female staff, despite multiple court rulings in their favor—raising concerns over labor rights violations and misuse of authority in Pakistani media.
May 19, 2025 PJS reports 219 Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, with 30 women among the victims. Over 430 were injured and 685 family members were killed. Read more on the systematic targeting of media in Gaza.
May 15, 2025 Discover the legacy of Samiullah Khan, Pakistan’s legendary "Flying Horse," whose breathtaking speed and artistry redefined hockey. From Olympic glory to World Cup triumphs, his story is one of myth, movement, and magic.
May 04, 2025 Algerian authorities suspend Echorouk News TV for 10 days after it used a racist slur against African migrants. ANIRA demands an apology, calling it a violation of human dignity.
May 04, 2025 NCHR and MMfD launch a journalism fellowship to train reporters on digital rights & gender inclusion in Pakistan. Supported by UNESCO, this initiative aims to bridge the gender digital divide. Apply by May 15, 2025!
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.