Punjab Police did not arrest journalist Iqrarul Hassan: Azma Bokhari

Says his family would be informed as soon as verified information about his whereabouts are available

LAHORE:

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari said on Monday that Punjab Police had not arrested journalist Iqrarul Hassan, adding that investigations into the matter were underway and his family would be informed as soon as verified information about his whereabouts became available.

In a statement posted on X, Bokhari said the police had not taken Hassan into custody and that the matter was being investigated.

پنجاب پولیس نے اقرار الحسن کو گرفتار نہیں کیا،اس معاملے کی تحقیقات کی جا رہی ہیں، ان کے بارے میں جیسے ہی کوئی مصدقہ اطلاعات موصول ہوں گی ان کے اہل خانہ کو آگاہ کر دیا جائے گا۔

— Azma Zahid Bokhari (@AzmaBokhariPMLN) October 12, 2026

Earlier, journalist Iqrarul Hassan’s wife, Farah Iqrar, told The Express Tribune that a group of unidentified individuals posing as officials of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) had allegedly taken him away from their residence in Lahore’s Defence C area.

According to Farah, between five and seven people, including women, arrived at the house late on Sunday night, during the intervening hours of Sunday and Monday, and demanded that Hassan come outside.

She alleged that the individuals threatened to break down the door if he was not handed over. They subsequently entered the house, forcibly took the journalist from a room and took him away.

Farah said she contacted the relevant agency’s office to inquire about her husband’s whereabouts but received no response. She added that an application regarding Hassan’s alleged abduction was submitted to the Defence C police station at around 6am, after which the police issued a diary number.

She further said she later contacted the relevant authorities to register a computerised first information report online but was told that the network was down.

Farah appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to take notice of the incident and ensure her husband’s recovery. She said Hassan had served the country through his journalistic work and exposed various mafias.

 

 

یہ پڑی ہے پیپلز پارٹی کی “جمہوریت”۔۔۔ افسوس صد افسوس۔ تاریخ نواز شریف اور زرداری کو کبھی معاف نہیں کرے گی۔ https://t.co/UwF31aX67f

— Iqrar ul Hassan Syed (@iqrarulhassan) October 11, 2026

Hours before the reported incident, Hassan had posted a message on X criticising the Pakistan Peoples Party and referring to Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari.