'His only agenda is democracy': Farooq Faisal Khan defends Khalid Jamil after arrest

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published 3 months ago |  JP Staff Report

ISLAMABAD—Veteran journalist Farooq Faisal Khan has defended fellow senior journalist Khalid Jamil (pictured) following his reported arrest by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in Islamabad.

According to media reports, NCCIA officials raided Jamil’s residence in Media Town on Friday, taking him into custody. Authorities have not disclosed the official reason for his arrest, but media circles believe Jamil’s outspoken video commentaries and vlogs critical of state institutions may have triggered the action. His recent reporting on political developments and press freedom in Pakistan is also said to have drawn official scrutiny.

This is not the first time Jamil has faced state action. In September 2023, while serving as Bureau Chief of ABN News, he was arrested at the same residence.

Reacting to the development, journalist Farooq Faisal Khan wrote on Facebook that although he disagrees with Jamil’s political views, he acknowledged his integrity and independence.

“I do not agree with Khalid Jamil’s thoughts regarding Imran Khan and PTI, but I know that whatever he says or writes, he does so out of conviction, without any financial interest,” Khan said.

Khan also recalled a meeting with then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during which Jamil openly identified himself as a man with a Muslim League mindset. According to Khan, Jamil had made the PML-N slogan “Vote Ko Izzat Do” (Respect the Vote) the motto of his life, and his current commitment is not to any single leader but to the democratic system, constitutional supremacy, and people’s rule.

Khan condemned Jamil’s arrest, warning that journalists should not be punished for advocating democracy.

“Khalid Jamil’s agenda is people’s rule and constitutional supremacy — an agenda that belongs to every conscious mind,” he said, adding, “For God’s sake, don’t do this.”