Bol News’ journalist Siddique Jan arrested in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: Bol News reporter Siddique Jan has reportedly been arrested by the Islamabad police; it emerged on Monday.

As per details, a dozen men, believed to be police officials, in civilian clothes stopped the Bol News Bureau Chief and forced him into a private car outside the BOL News Office in Islamabad. CCTV footage showed the alleged police officials taking the reporter in the custody.

Na-maloom Afraad in plain clothes arrest Siddique Jan (@SdqJaan) from Islamabad.

Taken to an unknown place in a private car.
pic.twitter.com/9qB53tdIjk

— Annus Raza (@annusraza) March 20, 2023

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has condemned the harassment of journalists in the country. 

“Absolutely shameful the news of the regime arresting Siddique Jaan. Professional journalists are being targeted, harassed, even killed in the case of Arshad Sharif Shaheed. We immediately ask for the release of @SdqJaan  and stand in complete support!,” PTI official tweeted. 

Absolutely shameful the news of the regime arresting Siddique Jaan. Professional journalists are being targeted, harassed, even killed in the case of Arshad Sharif Shaheed.

We immediately ask for the release of @SdqJaan and stand in complete support! pic.twitter.com/zvzA5ZgN3B

— PTI (@PTIofficial) March 20, 2023

Journalists and civil society widely condemned the PML-N led coalition government for reprehensible attack on press freedom.

Arrest of Siddique Jan @SdqJaan a/g exposes how the #ShehbazSharif govt is victimizing independent media. In 11 short months, this govt tried to stifle the voice of one mediaperson & media house after another. But in this day & age, such tactics will only prove counter productive

— Amir Zia (@AmirZia1) March 20, 2023