Islamabad: journalist Imran Riaz Khan has reportedly been arrested once again, as revealed by a social media post shared by his brother late Thursday night. The arrest, allegedly conducted by individuals in plain clothes at his residence in Lahore, has raised questions as no reason was provided for his apprehension.
Confirmation of the arrest came from fellow journalist and YouTuber Asad Toor, who took to social media platform X to share the news. This incident adds to the mounting concerns over press freedom and journalists’ safety in Pakistan.
🚨🚨#BREAKING: Sources claim #ImranRiazKhan has been arrested. pic.twitter.com/0HiPbuMlLU
— Asad Ali Toor (@AsadAToor) February 22, 2024
This recent development follows a previous summon issued by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), where both Imran Riaz Khan and Asad Toor were called upon to address their alleged involvement in an online anti-judiciary campaign. The summons directed them to appear before the FIA’s Cybercrime Wing on Friday, indicating escalating scrutiny against journalists critical of the government.
It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time Imran Riaz Khan has faced legal repercussions for his journalistic activities. He was previously arrested in July 2022 in Islamabad following a complaint filed in Attock, highlighting a pattern of targeting journalists for their work.
As concerns mount over the state of press freedom in the country, the arrest of Imran Riaz Khan underscores the challenges faced by journalists striving to report independently. The situation calls for heightened attention from civil society and international bodies to safeguard the fundamental right to freedom of expression. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
