Reporter Ali Imran returns home after remaining ‘missing’ for 22 hrs

Journalist tells his wife that he has reached his mother's residence in Karachi

KARACHI:

Journalist Ali Imran Syed, who allegedly went missing on Friday night, has returned home safe and sound, a private news channel he is associated with confirmed on Saturday.

The local TV channel reported that the senior reporter spoke to his wife via telephone and confirmed that he has reached his mother’s residence in Karachi.

According to the report, Syed left his home Friday evening after telling his family he would be back in half an hour, but did not for almost 22 hours. His wife said that his car was parked outside their home and her husband did not take his cell phone with him.

The first information report (FIR) of his alleged abduction was registered on the complaint of his brother at Sachal police station against unidentified accused.

Karachi police chief and DIG East were informed about Syed's disappearance.

Sindh government spokesperson Murtaza Wahab, in a tweet, said Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took notice of the incident and had spoken to the province’s top police official. "The matter is being investigated."

CM Sindh has taken notice & spoken to IG Sindh. The matter is being investigated. Will keep u informed about the progress. Insha’Allah all efforts will be made for his recovery https://t.co/b6egpNuiRj

— Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui (@murtazawahab1) October 24, 2020

Advisor to the Prime Minister on Accountability and Interior Mirza Shahzad Akbar had also said the federal government had taken notice of the journalist's disappearance and secretary interior had spoken to Sindh's Inspector General of Police for the early recovery of the journalist.

He further said that the government had offered support and assistance of all federal agencies in this case and for the general safety of journalists in the province.

Federal Govt has taken notice of disappearance of journalist #AliImran Sec Int has spoken with IG Sindh for early recovery of the journalist and offered support/assistance of all federal agencies in this case & general safety of journalists in Sindh

— Mirza Shahzad Akbar (@ShazadAkbar) October 24, 2020

Federal Information Minister Shibli Faraz had also expressed hope for the reporter’s early release so “he could reunite with family and friends soon”.

I sincerely hope & pray Ali Ìmrañ Syed reunites with his family & friends very soon.

— Senator Shibli Faraz (@shiblifaraz) October 24, 2020

Federal Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari added that no one should go missing in a democracy. She added that the country has strong laws, including anti-terror laws "to deal with those who are allegedly guilty of a crime".

No one should "disappear" in a democracy - we have strong laws, incl anti terror laws, to deal with those who are allegedly guilty of a crime. Arrest & charge. @MuradAliShahPPP @SindhCMHouse https://t.co/hsIVzjhn1t

— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) October 24, 2020

PML-N’s Maryam Nawaz, however, condemned the incident and claimed that the reporter was “picked up” for sharing CCTV footage [of Capt (retd) Safdar’s arrest]

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has also called for the reporter’s “immediate release”.

HRCP demands the immediate release of Ali Imran Syed, a correspondent for @geonews_urdu. #Journalismisnotacrime

— Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) October 24, 2020