By The South Asia Times

Prominent Pakistani journalist Matiullah Jan was reportedly abducted and later confirmed to be in the custody of Islamabad police on Thursday , sparking widespread outrage among media organizations, rights groups, and the public. The arrest has drawn strong condemnation from the Federal Union of Journalists (FUJ), which labeled it an attack on press freedom in Pakistan.

Witnesses reported that Jan was forcibly taken by plainclothes individuals from outside a government building in Islamabad in broad daylight. Initial confusion over his whereabouts led to fears of enforced disappearance, a tactic increasingly criticized in Pakistan.

Hours later, Islamabad police confirmed that Jan had been detained on charges linked to a "case under investigation." However, they declined to provide further details about the allegations or the circumstances surrounding his abrupt arrest.

The Federal Union of Journalists swiftly condemned the arrest, accusing authorities of silencing dissenting voices. “Matiullah Jan has long been a thorn in the side of those who seek to suppress the truth. This is not just an attack on him but on press freedom itself,” the FUJ statement read.

The union demanded his immediate release, warning that such actions erode the country’s democratic fabric. Protests were announced in major cities, with journalists and civil society members planning rallies to demand accountability.

The arrest has drawn attention from international watchdogs and human rights organizations. Amnesty International called for Jan’s release, emphasizing that journalists must not be targeted for their work.

“The detention of Matiullah Jan is deeply troubling and raises concerns about the shrinking space for free expression in Pakistan,” said a statement from Human Rights Watch.

News of Jan’s abduction and arrest has sparked outrage across social media, with hashtags demanding his release trending nationwide. Prominent figures from various sectors, including opposition leaders, lawyers, and activists, joined the chorus of condemnation.

“This is a dark day for Pakistan’s democracy,” said Ahsan Iqbal, a senior opposition leader. “When journalists are silenced, the nation suffers.”

Pakistan is considered one of the most dangerous countries for journalists as last year, prominent journalist Imran Riaz Khan was also kidnapped and remained missing for several months.

Several other journalists including Islamuddin Sajid, Sherin Zada, Shakir Awan, and several others are facing severe threats.