ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) has condemned the abduction of the journalist Matiullah Jan and asked the Government to ensure safe recovery of the journalist.
Speaking at a press conference, senior PML-N leader Khawaja Asif said his party condemned Jan’s disappearance. “Matiullah has talked about media and journalism. He had an SC hearing tomorrow … to take him into custody now is an attempt to silence him and his journalism,” Asif said, adding that his party will raise voice for freedom of speech for all inside and outside the parliament.
“If someone speaks against the government and is made a target, we will join their voice and the protest,” the MNA continued, saying “the manner in which journalists have been silenced” in the country in the last two years and before that “does not happen in civilised societies”.
“Matiullah Jan was constantly making efforts for the freedom of the press and his hearing with the Supreme Court, regarding alleged contempt of court, was also due for tomorrow,” PML-N stalwart Khawaja Asif said.
“Taking him into custody at this time is an attempt to silence the voice of the media,” Asif said, adding that PML-N has always and will continue to support freedom of speech in the country.
Soon after, the chairperson of the Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights, PPP’s Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, tweeted that the Islamabad inspector general of police had been summoned to brief the committee with regards to Jan’s abduction.
The journalist was supposed to appear before the Supreme Court in relation to a contempt of court case based on an allegedly contemptuous tweet by him.
