Journalist Usman Khan in hiding after police raid his home

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published last year |  CPJ News Alert

NEW YORK—Pakistani police have raided the home of digital journalist Usman Khan three times, forcing him into hiding to avoid detention for his coverage of protests over alleged human rights abuses in Balochistan province.

"Pakistani police must immediately cease their attempts to detain independent journalist Usman Khan and allow the media to report on current affairs without fear of intimidation or arrest," said Beh Lih Yi, CPJ Asia program coordinator. "Pakistani authorities must do more to protect independent voices across the country. We have seen an alarming uptick in attacks on the press in Pakistan, with seven deaths so far this year."

Khan told CPJ from an undisclosed location that uniformed and plainclothes police officers raided his home on July 31, August 2, and August 5, but he escaped. Khan said he knew that authorities planned to arrest him over his coverage because military officials questioned protesters about him and phoned his father to summon Khan back to Quetta.

Khan reports for and manages the Zaiwa News channel on YouTube and Facebook, which covers current affairs in volatile Balochistan.

On his X account, Khan reported extensively on the army's crackdown on demonstrators marching to the port city of Gwadar to attend a July 28 protest against enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Balochistan. Three people were killed in clashes with security forces.

CPJ's email requesting comment from Abdul Khaliq Sheikh, Inspector General of Police in Quetta, did not receive a response.