HRCP, PBC, and PFUJ demand judicial inquiry into Geo reporter's abduction

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 29 October 2020

Several organizations have called for a judicial inquiry into the abduction of journalist Ali Imran Syed. They argue the government's probe lacks independence and transparency.

Summary

ISLAMABAD—Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Pakistan Bar Council, and Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists have rejected the prime minister's team to probe Geo News journalist Ali Imran Syed's recent abduction in Karachi.

The organizations say that the team in question consists of personnel with links to state agencies and allegedly culpable in similar past activities.

Harris Khalique, Secretary-General of HRCP, Abid Saqi, Vice Chairman of PBC and Shahzada Zulfiqar, President of PFUJ and Nasir Zaidi, the secretary-general, said that the situation warranted an independent and transparent investigation.

They called for a judicial commission headed by a Supreme Court judge. "Last month, FIA, tasked with investigating the abduction of Mr. Syed, registered fabricated cases against 49 journalists, some of whom were summoned. How can such an authority ensure a fair and transparent inquiry," the statement said.

They also urged Prime Minister Imran Khan to refer the case to the Supreme Court, given the rise in threats to journalists.

The HRCP, PBC, and PFUJ said that they would continue to support the cause of human rights, press freedom, and freedom of expression, constricted under the current government.