Agree or not but several journalists living in Pakistan are facing serious threats due to increasing intolerance to critical journalism and government agencies’ regular attacks on journalists.
Cases of abduction, physical attacks, and torture of journalists have become common now. Yesterday, known anchor Iqrar-ul-Hasan became a target of a brutal attack initiated by the Intelligence Bureau (IB), and today Mohsin Jamil Baig was arrested by Federal Investigation Agency from his home.
Who is Mohsin Jamil Baig?
Mohsin Jamil Baig is a senior Pakistani journalist who a few days ago talked on Samaa TV against Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Why was he arrested?
It was afternoon when the journalist’s house in Islamabad was raided by the FIA and later arrested after he allegedly shot at and roughed up members of the raiding team.
FIA Cybercrime wing arrested him over the complaint of Murad Saeed instead of fighting in court he came out with a gun and aimed at the video maker.
FIA’s statement
According to a press release issued by the investigation agency, the FIA’s Cyber Crime Circle raided Baig’s house after obtaining a search and seizure warrant from the relevant court.
“During the raid, Mohsin Baig and his son and servants directly fired at the FIA team and made two officials hostage,” the press release said. The FIA said FIR was against Baig by Murad Saeed in Lahore under Sections 20 (offences against the dignity of a natural person), 21-D (offences against modesty of a natural person and minor) and 24 (cyber stalking) of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016 read with Sections 500 (defaming army officers) and 555 (statement conducing to public mischief) of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Other side of story
Baig’s son claims that plainclothes came to the house earlier today and arrested his father. Before arresting, the senior wing of the FIA raided Mohsin Baig’s home, whereupon the senior journalist and his staff sought an arrest warrant, which the FIA team refused to show.
Hamid Mir’s reaction
Renowned journalist Hamid Mir shared pictures of Baig’s house in the morning when the police and FIA officials surrounded his home in Islamabad, adding that Baig’s “arrest is a sign of weakness not strength of @ImranKhanPTI”.
Police commandos are standing outside the house of journalist Mohsin Baig in Islamabad.He was arrested this morning,now police want to enter in his house for search. Lady police is also there. Son of Mohsin Baig is injured and police want to arrest him for resisting against FIA. pic.twitter.com/CJXRtK1M4z
— Hamid Mir (@HamidMirPAK) February 16, 2022
Mohsin Baig was waiting for his arrest since long. His arrest is a sign of weakness not strength of @ImranKhanPTI #PressFreedom #JournalismIsNotACrime https://t.co/Bf2kAkp1jA
— Hamid Mir (@HamidMirPAK) February 16, 2022
Debate on social media
Many social media users had different reactions over his arrest. let;s have a look:
Was Mohsin Baig assaulted by the raiding party? #mohsinbaig #FIA pic.twitter.com/HaVRNESvFa
— Hamza Azhar Salam (@HamzaAzhrSalam) February 16, 2022
This is Mohsin Baig, he is a former senator, journalist & political analyst.
FIA Cybercrime wing arrested him over the complaint of Murad Saeed instead of fighting in court he comes out with a gun & aimed at the video maker.#muradsaeed #MohsinBaig #JournalismIsNotACrime pic.twitter.com/iTCniNbuOj— Sayed Samran Raza Gardezi (@SamranGardezi) February 16, 2022
Choose your friends wisely; you can end up in a jail too#mohsinbaig #JournalismIsNotACrime pic.twitter.com/jU2eAhueqZ
— Ａｓａｄ Ｊａｎ (@AsadJan80) February 16, 2022
We condemn the fascism of Imran Khan’s government!! The arrest of #MohsinBaig by #FIA is unacceptable & we demand his immediate release. #PTIGovernment & #PMIK are using their blatant authority to victimise & hush all dissenting voices. @pressfreedom @ICFJ #PUFJ
— Reham Khan (@RehamKhan1) February 16, 2022
Without any warrants or due cause, former PTI supporter #MohsinBaig has been arrested by FIA Cyber Crime reflecting the panic of the government in the wake of criticism.
First News One was banned, then Sabir Mehmood Hashmi was kidnapped, it seems some truths have struck a chord. pic.twitter.com/V6hlorexnU
— Hamza Azhar Salam (@HamzaAzhrSalam) February 16, 2022
What a petty, small man Imran Khan has turned out to be. Can’t even tolerate a little bit of criticism. This what #MohsinBaig had said in a recent interview. Today, he had him arrested. Dissent is a crime in #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/Nt06MmIEF9
— Bilal Farooqi (@bilalfqi) February 16, 2022
Don’t worry #MohsinBaig; This time will pass too! STAY STRONG#JournalismIsNotACrime pic.twitter.com/kEOp7hDSiG
— Mian Mujeeb UR Rehman (@Mujeebtalks) February 16, 2022
#mohsinbaig
Agree or not but several journalists living in Pakistan are facing serious threats due to increasing intolerance to critical journalism and government agencies’ regular attacks on journalists.— SB (@salimabhutto) February 16, 2022
