Journalist, activist Arsalan Khan goes missing in Karachi

Arsalan has worked with different media organisations over the years

KARACHI:

Karachi-based social activist and journalist Arsalan Khan has gone missing. The family claimed that "unknown persons" have "abducted" him from his residence in the wee hours of Friday.

Arsalan, who is active on social media especially on Twitter, has worked with different media organisations over the years.

One of his friends told The Express Tribune that during the drive against the missing persons' recovery, Arsalan was helping the families. He said that the journalist was involved in such kind of ‘activism’.

Read more: Shireen Mazari, interior secy summoned in missing journalist case

Senior Superintendent Police for South District Asad Raza categorically denied when asked if police had taken Arsalan into its custody. “No, he is not in our custody.”

Raza said that police have not investigated the missing persons case. “The family has not approached us as yet,” he said, adding that the FIR will be registered in case the family approaches the police.

SP Clifton Rohail Khoso said that the complaint will certainly be received by the police in case the family approached the police station.

According to Arsalan’s family and friends, "unknown persons" entered his house located in Clifton and after a brief investigation took him away without sharing with the family any reasons.

Arsalan has two kids, including a 14-year-old son and a nine-year-old daughter.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Arsalan’s wife Ayesha said that 10 to 12 persons entered their house before Fajr prayer. “Two were in civil dress and others were in Rangers’ uniform,” she explained.

Wife of @AK_Forty7 accusing Rangers of abducting her husband from their residence this morning without any warrant. Calls for his immediate release#ارسلان_خان_کو_رہا_کرو pic.twitter.com/YFFtsbL8xv

— Mubashir Zaidi (@Xadeejournalist) June 24, 2022

She denied if there were any threats hurled to her husband, adding that the persons in uniform also took Arsalan’s mobile and national identity card into their possession.

Also read: Missing Baloch journalist found dead in Karachi

“I am at police station,” Ayesha said. “Police is not ready to register our complaint,” she said.

PAKISTAN: Amnesty International is deeply concerned about the abduction of journalist Arsalan Khan (@AK_Forty7) from his home in Karachi today at 4:00 am. Pakistan must end this abhorrent practice of punishing dissent by wrenching people away from their loved ones. [1/2]

— Amnesty International South Asia (@amnestysasia) June 24, 2022

Amnesty International South Asia also issued a statement, expressing concern about Arsalan's alleged disappearance.

"We are deeply concerned about the abduction of journalist Arsalan Khan from his home in Karachi today at 4am. Pakistan must end this abhorrent practice of punishing dissent by wrenching people away from their loved ones," the statement said.

It said that the newly formed Inter-Ministerial Committee on Missing Persons must take note of the "jarring disconnect between what they are saying and what is actually happening on the ground."