A senior Pakistani journalist has gone missing after being arrested by personnel of Pakistani intelligence agencies.
According to a press release sent to The Balochistan Post by All Pakistan Journalist Council (APJC), Mr Gulzar Chaudhry was ‘abducted’ from his office premises located on Davis Road, Lahore.
Mr. Chaudhry is owner and editor of Daily Mubasreen. He is also a senior columnist at daily Jehan-e-Pakistan.
Accounts from eye witnesses suggest that unknown men in five to six double cabin vehicles intercepted Mr. Chaudhry and took him away on Friday evening.
According to APJC, the way the abduction was executed clearly indicates involvement of well trained persons belonging to state owned intelligence agencies.
Mr. Chaudhry’s whereabouts are unknown since he went missing. His colleagues alleged that the disappearance appears to be part of the notorious campaign against journalists in Pakistan.
On social media, journalists from different media houses condemned disappearance of Mr. Chaudhry and termed the whole episode a dangerous trend. “The state-run institutions must adhere to their jurisdiction and avoid such tactics against the media persons,” they said.
APJC governing body has showed serious concern on this illegal abduction and has called an emergency meeting to look into the said incident and define future plan.
Shabbir Hussain Turi Chairman APJC, Mr Ijaz But Senior Vice Chairman, Syed Talat Abbas Shah Vice Chairman, Mr Syed Tahir Ali General Secretary, Syed Tauqeer Hussain Zaidi
Secretary Information & Shaikh Muhammad Naeem Media Coordinator strongly condemned the ‘coward activity’ and demanded immediate action by concerned authorities.
They also expressed concerns on government’s lack of interest in addressing such serious issues.