Lahore journalists reported missing after by-election coverage
JournalismPakistan.com | Published 3 hours ago | JP Staff Report
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Two Lahore digital journalists went missing after highlighting alleged by-election irregularities, with colleagues unable to locate them and political figures alleging police involvement.Summary
LAHORE — Digital media journalists Agha Sheikh Sarwar (pictured, left) and Rai Ghulam Ali were reported missing late Monday night after they allegedly highlighted irregularities during the NA-129 by-elections, prompting growing concern within Lahore’s media community.
Colleagues and fellow reporters said the pair had been actively covering developments throughout election day before communication with them abruptly ceased.
First signs of disappearance
According to journalist Shakir Mehmood Awan, fellow media workers searched multiple police stations across Lahore but were unable to locate the two men. Awan said they were not produced before any court, and no official confirmation of their whereabouts was available.
Awan stated that the lack of information had heightened fears that they may have been detained without formal charges or documentation, a practice rights groups have repeatedly criticized.
Political reaction
Usman Hamza of PTI commented on X, alleging that the Punjab Police had earlier confronted them at their camp on polling day. He claimed that Agha Sarwar documented the incident and, in his words, “raised his voice for the truth,” before later disappearing.
Hamza further alleged that such incidents reflected a broader pattern in which individuals are deprived of basic legal protections. His remarks, however, could not be independently verified, and authorities have not issued a statement regarding the allegations.
Ongoing concerns over media safety
The reported disappearance adds to longstanding concerns about the safety of journalists covering politically sensitive events. Media organizations have urged authorities to clarify the situation and ensure due process is followed.
KEY POINTS:
- Two Lahore journalists went missing after covering the alleged by-election irregularities
- Colleagues searched police stations but found no official record of their detention
- PTI representative alleged police confrontation earlier in the day
- Authorities have not issued any formal statement
- Incident adds to concerns about journalist safety and due process in Pakistan
