KARACHI: Syed Muhammad Askari, a reporter associated with the Urdu-language Jang newspaper, was arrested by police in Karachi, the publication said on Sunday.
Eyewitnesses, including a friend of Askari present during the incident, said he was apprehended by both police personnel and individuals in plain clothes on Saturday night near the KPT Interchange in the Qayyumabad suburb of Korangi Town.
The witnesses claimed that a police vehicle and a white car intercepted Askari’s vehicle as he and his friend were returning from a wedding.
According to the friend, despite Askari identifying himself as a reporter and explaining his profession, both the police and plain-clothed men detained them.
However, the friend was later released. He brought the vehicle to the Jang office and reported the incident.
Upon contacting the police helpline to report the abduction, the person who answered the call instructed Askari’s friend to approach the relevant police station for assistance.
As of now, the reporter’s location remains unknown, and efforts to locate him have been unsuccessful.
Rao Rafiq, station house officer (SHO) of Zaman Town police station, claimed to be unaware of the incident when informed about it. Tariq Nawaz, senior superintendent of police (SSP) in Korangi, said they are currently gathering information regarding the incident.
Askari’s family has urged the authorities to take immediate action to locate and recover him.
