Senior journalist Irfan Raza 'kidnapped, released' in Islamabad

Journalist informed his family that he is 'completely fine', says info minister

The Islamabad Police on Thursday formed a committee under DIG Operations to investigate the alleged kidnapping and release of senior journalist Irfan Raza.

The police said in a statement said the committee immediately started the investigation under SSP Investigation and other senior officials.

It said that the committee would investigate the incident from all angles, adding that an FIR is also being registered on the complaint of the senior journalist's family.

Meanwhile, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb said that she had talked with Raza who is totally fine.

Read more: Commission formed to investigate journalist Arshad Sharif’s killing

She, in a tweet, said the journalist had informed his family that he is completely fine. “I am in constant contact with Irfan Raza’s family which has reached Chakri to pick him up,” she added.

The minister, who had earlier taken the notice of alleged kidnapping of Raza, said the investigation of the incident is underway.

سینئر صحافی عرفان رضا بخیریت ہیں، الحمدللہ۔ میری ان سے بات ہوئی ہے۔ عرفان نے اپنے اہل خانہ کو فون کرکے اطلاع دی ہے کہ وہ خیریت سے ہیں۔ میں ان کے اہل خانہ سے مسلسل رابطے میں ہوں جو عرفان رضا کو لینے چکری پہنچ گئے ہیں۔واقعے کی تحقیات جاری ہیں۔

— Marriyum Aurangzeb (@Marriyum_A) November 3, 2022

In a statement, she said, that a committee, comprising senior police officers, including SSP Investigation, has been formed to look into the incident.

“The committee will thoroughly investigate the incident from all aspects,” she said. The minister also held a telephone contact with Irfan Raza's family

The journalist community expressed its concern over the alleged kidnapping of a senior journalist.

One of our most senior colleagues at Dawn, Syed Irfan Raza, has gone missing from Islamabad.
Worried sick for his safety, praying for his return. #JournalismIsNotACrime

— Mighty (@mightyobvious) November 3, 2022

PM Shehbaz Sharif has taken notice of abduction by armed men of @dawn_com senior reporter Irfan Raza from sector G11 in Islamabad & ordered IG ISB to take all measures to ensure safe return of Irfan Raza. IG @akbarnasirkhan says Isb police giving highest priority to the matter

— Fahd Husain (@Fahdhusain) November 3, 2022

Irfan Raza has been recovered. Thanks @Fahdhusain for your help. https://t.co/P8INZu25Bi

— Baqir Sajjad (@baqirsajjad) November 3, 2022

Irfan Raza's family confirms that he has been freed, he is at Chakri right now. https://t.co/lVfptYHmDs

— Nadir Guramani (@nguramani) November 3, 2022

Thanks @Marriyum_A for helping our colleague Irfan Raza https://t.co/Ry1M8jP5YU

— Hamid Mir (@HamidMirPAK) November 3, 2022

Thank God !irfan raza the senior correspondent @dawn_com got recovered in Chakri near islamabad,police and info minister @Marriyum_A personally helped and supervised.

— Asma Shirazi (@asmashirazi) November 3, 2022

Thanks God. The abductor left Irfan Raza at Chakri exit point on Lahore motorway. It was a car snatching as per initial report.

— Mubarak Zeb Khan (@mubarakzebdawn) November 3, 2022