Pakistani journalist missing since Kabul airport blasts

JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 30 August 2021

Muhammad Iqbal Mengal, a reporter for 92 News, has been missing since the Kabul airport bombing. The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists has called for his safe release.

Summary

BRUSSELS —The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its Pakistan affiliate, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), have urged the Pakistan government to take solid steps for ensuring the safe release of Pakistani journalist Muhammad Iqbal Mengal.

Mengal, a reporter associated with 92 News, remains missing for the last many days and is suspected of being detained by Taliban militants following the Kabul airport bombing on August 26.

The journalist reported live on television at the bomb site on August 26. His family relatives said that his phone has been out of reach since the live coverage. Before Mengal disappeared, he had also been reporting in Kandahar and Herat city.

Earlier, two other Pakistani journalists, Khyber TV reporter Mateen Khan Achakzai and cameraperson Muhammad Ali were detained in Afghanistan while reporting in Kandahar on August 25. However, they were freed two days later and returned to Pakistan safely.—IFJ media release/Photo: Wakil Kohsar (AFP)

Key Points

Muhammad Iqbal Mengal missing since August 26.
He reported live from the Kabul airport bombing site.
Family has lost communication with him.
Concerns he may be detained by Taliban militants.
Previously reported from Kandahar and Herat.

Relevant Topics

Journalism

Pakistan

Taliban

Kabul

Missing

Safety

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