Activist Jibran Nasir has returned home safely: police

The prominent lawyer and activist was abducted by unidentified gunmen while returning home with his wife on Thursday

KARACHI:

Prominent human rights activist and lawyer Jibran Nasir returned home safely on Friday, almost 24 hours after he was taken by unidentified gunmen in Karachi, family members and police said.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) South Syed Asad Raza confirmed to The Express Tribune that Nasir has safely reached his residence in Karachi, but has yet to record his statement with the police.

“He has reached home safely. I can confirm to you that he is fine,” SSP Raza told The Express Tribune.

Clifton police had earlier registered the case of Nasir's kidnapping on the complaint of his wife. SSP Raza said that police investigators will soon record Nasir's detailed statement. If any person is identified by him, the police will take action against such elements, he added.

Taking to Twitter, Nasir confirmed the development, expressing his gratitude towards all his friends and colleagues, particularly journalists, lawyers, bar councils, civil society members, and politicians who stood beside him and his family during the whole ordeal.

“Due to your prayers and efforts, I have returned home safely,” he added.

تمام دوستوں اور ساتھیوں بلخصوص صحافی، وکلاء اور بار کونسلز ،سول سوسائٹی اور سیاست دانوں
کی دعاؤں اور کاوشوں سے میں باخیریت گھر واپس آ گیا ہوں۔ جس عظم اور جدو جہد کی وجہ سے آپ سب میرے اور میرے اہل خانہ کے ساتھ کھرے رہے اور میری واپسی کو یقینی بنایا وہ عظم اب بھی قائم ہے اور جدو…

— M. Jibran Nasir 🇵🇸 (@MJibranNasir) June 2, 2023

He reiterated his commitment to persist in his struggle with unwavering passion.

Also read FIR lodged as civil society protests against Jibran Nasir's abduction

Sources in the prominent activist's family also confirmed that Nasir has reached home, but they declined to divulge any further details.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah as well as several rights organisations had expressed concern over the lawyer's mysterious disappearance.

CM Murad had instructed the Inspector General of Sindh Police (IGP) to submit a report of Nasir's disappearance. The IGP had also been ordered to take all necessary steps to ensure the activist's earliest possible recovery.

Nasir's spouse, Mansha Pasha, said she was present with him in their car on Thursday when at least 15 unidentified heavily armed men in multiple vehicles cornered them and abducted him from near his residence in Karachi’s DHA.

کچھ دیر پہلے میرے شوہر جبران ناصر کو پندرہ کے قریب مسلح لوگ اٹھا کر لے گئے ہیں، اہلیہ منشا پاشا
What the hell! Why#releasejibrannasir pic.twitter.com/a2wbXeQ6QW

— Raza Ahmad Rumi (@Razarumi) June 1, 2023

“We were returning after having dinner when a white Vigo intercepted and almost crushed us. There were 15 men with pistols and they took away my husband forcibly,” Pasha had said in her video statement.

She had urged everyone to make efforts and pray for the early recovery of her husband.

Read more Activist Jibran Nasir ‘abducted’ in Karachi, says wife

Nasir, a former independent candidate in the 2018 general elections from Karachi, has criticised the recent state crackdown on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and legal proceedings concerning individuals allegedly involved in riots.

His efforts to address sectarian violence earned him a place on Foreign Policy Magazine's 2013 list of three inspirational Pakistanis working against such conflicts.