No news on detained journalist in Pakistan

Ten people lost their lives in the protests that started after the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan on May 9 due to a corruption case. Many private and public properties were damaged and police vehicles were set on fire during the protests. On May 11, journalist Imran Riaz Khan was among those detained following the protests.

Azhar Siddiq, the lawyer of the journalist's family, criticized the detention of Imran Riaz Khan, telling Al Jazeera television, "There are no charges against Imran Riaz Khan across the country."

Imran Riaz Khan

'MINISTER'S STATEMENT PROVOKES REACTION'

In an interview with a foreign media organization, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Maryam Aurangzeb sparked outrage when she said that Imran Riaz Khan was a spokesperson for a political party and that there should be a distinction between him and independent journalists, referring to the former Prime Minister's party.

On social media, many human rights activists and journalists have posted against the Minister's remarks.

Matiullah Jan, a journalist in Islamabad, said on Twitter that Aurangzeb's remarks were disappointing.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and Amnesty International's South Asia Regional Office also called on the Pakistani government to find Imran Riaz Khan.

Imran Riaz Khan's detention was challenged in court by his family. The Lahore High Court ordered the Punjab police to bring the journalist to court. Punjab provincial police chief Osman Anvar said that the journalist was not in police custody and they did not know his whereabouts. 

It was also announced that more than 4,000 people were detained in the incidents. PTI, on the other hand, said the number of detained party supporters was over 7,000. Among those detained are senior PTI politicians, including former Foreign Minister and PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmoud Qureshi.

Source: Anadolu Agency