A journalist named Ahmad Farhad has been missing in Pakistan and his family is desperately seeking him.
The man who went vanished in thin air on May 14, was said to be known for his strong criticism of the country’s powerful establishment, i.e. Pakistan’s army.
Within a week, his disappearance has not only shaken Pakistan but also parts of the world.
Who is Ahmad Farhad?
Hailing from the Bagh district of Kashmir, Ahmad Farhad was a freelance journalist who frequently reported on the recent antigovernment protests in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The 38-year-old had previously worked for the Bol News channel.
Syeda Urooj Zainab, his wife, in an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera, said that her husband had said he was under pressure from government agencies for several months due to his perceived support for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
Although Zainab said her husband’s ultimate loyalty was to human rights, not any party.
Disappearance
Ahmad Farhad went missing on the night of May 14. As per his wife, after having dinner at home, four men grabbed him outside the gate of the house and dragged him into a car.
As per his wife, three more vehicles were also part of the group.
Possible risk
According to Zainab, her husband had told her about possible risks to his life due to his political commentary and reporting on the issues in Kashmir.
Petition in IHC
Farhad’s family petitioned the Islamabad High Court (IHC), alleging that he had “disappeared” from outside his home in Islamabad, ISI, for his criticism of authorities.
Threats
According to Farhad’s wife, two days after the alleged abduction, she was contacted by Farhad through his WhatsApp asking her to withdraw her petition in the court in return for his recovery.
Case in court
The court has ordered the police to find the missing Farhad promptly, warning that it might otherwise summon the defense secretary to appear before it.
History of journalist’s disappearance in Pakistan
Pakistan has a history of journalists vanishing in thin air and for that, its powerful ISI and agencies have been accused multiple times of forced disappearances.
It is not wrong to say that this has become a major issue in Pakistan as prominent reporters including Imran Riaz Khan, Sami Abraham, Syed Fawad Ali Shah, and Gohar Wazir have been missing since 2023.
