Anchorperson Sami Ibrahim 'missing' from Islamabad

Senior journalist and TV anchorperson Sami Ibrahim has gone missing from the federal capital, it emerged on Thursday.

According to a statement issued by the Islamabad police, efforts are being made for the search and recovery of Ibrahim but it would be premature to draw conclusions yet.

The statement added that the police would cooperate with the senior journalist’s family.

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Meanwhile, in a complaint lodged at Aabpara Police Station by Ibrahim’s brother Ali Raza, the senior journalist was intercepted by four cars near Sixth Avenue, Sector G-6, at around 9 pm on Wednesday after he left his office to head home with his driver.

According to the complainant, Ibrahim was forcibly taken by eight to 10 unidentified men, who also took three mobile phones belonging to the driver and the car keys.

The news comes amid an aggressive crackdown by the state on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) leadership, workers and supporters.

Media personnel has also come under the ire of the state for speaking in support of the popular political party and/or against violations of civil liberties and judicial rights.

Journalists Imran Riaz Khan and Aftab Iqbal, both staunch supporters of the PTI, were also taken into custody earlier this month. While the whereabouts of the former remain undisclosed to date, the latter has reportedly been released.

Read More Punjab police clueless about journalist Imran Riaz's whereabouts

Ibrahim’s disappearance has also brought condemnation on social media.

“What should the world think of Pakistan where prominent journalists can just disappear like this? Imran Riaz is still missing after 14 days; he was picked up by police from Sialkot Airport but now police say they don’t know where he is,” wrote senior journalist Moeed Pirzada on Twitter.

— Moeed Pirzada (@MoeedNj) May 25, 2023