Senior journalist Matiullah Jan’s two-day physical remand, granted by an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC), has been challenged in the Islamabad High Court (IHC). The appeal was filed by his lawyer, Imaan Mazari, who contested the decision made by ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra.
On Monday, Judge Sipra reserved and later delivered a verdict approving a two-day physical remand, instead of the 30-day remand requested by the police. Matiullah Jan was arrested earlier that day in connection with a case registered at Margalla police station.
The First Information Report (FIR) states that Matiullah Jan’s driver allegedly tried to run over officers who had signaled the vehicle to stop. According to the FIR, the driver accelerated toward the officials, putting their lives at risk, but the vehicle was stopped after a barrier was deployed.
The FIR also claims that “ice” (crystal meth) was found on the vehicle’s seat and that Matiullah Jan was allegedly under the influence of drugs at the time. The charges include attempted murder and other serious offenses.
The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) condemned Matiullah Jan’s arrest, calling it deeply troubling, especially given his previous abduction in 2020. The PFUJ demanded his immediate release and warned of nationwide protests if their demand was not met.
In an official statement, the PFUJ stressed the need for a fair and transparent investigation, highlighting that actions against journalists threaten freedom of expression and democratic values.
It is important to note that in 2020, Matiullah Jan was abducted in broad daylight from Islamabad’s G-6 sector by unidentified individuals and was released 12 hours later near Fateh Jang, Punjab.
