Missing PTI leader's interview sparks speculation: What happened at DawnNews studio?

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 6 October 2023

Sadaqat Ali Abbasi's interview at DawnNews has sparked speculation regarding his detention. The channel is reviewing the circumstances surrounding the interview recording.

Summary

ISLAMABAD—The management of DawnNews Television has said the way the interview of Sadaqat Ali Abbasi, the missing Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf leader was recorded in the channel's studio was being reviewed and a statement would be issued later.

On Thursday night, there were rumors on social media that Abbasi, who has been missing, was brought to the Dawn office at Zero Point in Islamabad, where his interview was recorded. It was to be broadcast on Thursday night, but it did not go on air.

The official Twitter account of PTI said Sadaqat Abbasi is under detention and would now be forced to confess about leaving Tehreek-e-Insaf.

The news of the interview comes a day after another missing PTI leader Usman Dar appeared in the talk show of Kamran Shahid and announced his dissociation from the party and held its chairman Imran Khan responsible for the May 9 events. The airing of Dar’s interview, recorded at the Kamran's home, has been severely criticized. On this part, Shahid said he was doing his journalistic duty.

Adil Shahzeb recorded Sadaqat’s interview. BBC said it tried to contact Shahzeb but could not speak to him as his contact numbers were switched off.

A senior member of the channel's management has confirmed that the interview was recorded and said that the channel management is currently examining how the interview was recorded.