Case Update Status

Gohar Siyal was arrested on March 18 and he was released after 24 hours.

Summary of Case

"The Islamabad police arrested Gohar Siyal during Imran Khan’s hearing in the judicial complex.Gohar Siyal is not affiliated with any organisation and is not a member of the Islamabad press club and Rawalpindi Islamabad journalists’ union. Gohar Siyal told PPF that the Islamabad police officials arrested him for showing them a different press card when he reached the Judicial complex to cover Imran Khan’s court hearing. “They arrested me on March 18, 2023, around 10:30 to 11:00 AM; when we were there, we saw police had arrested the bureau chief of Ikhtilaf News “Bilal Chaudhry”, and after him, they arrested me; next day, they sent me Adiala jail, and after seven days they released me” Siyal added. “This is my right to speak and cover according to the freedom of speech act journalists are independent to speak”, Siyal added. Imran Riaz Khan, Bol News and others condemned the arrest. Speaking to PPF Abid Abassi, president of Rawalpindi Islamabad union of journalists, Gohar was arrested along with several PTI workers, and Islamabad police had arrested Gohar mistakenly they thought Gohar was also a social media member of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's social media team, as he was there for the coverage of Imran Khan’s hearing. “Police have released him after seven days, which was not fair, and the union had already decided to meet and ask the police about Gohar’s arrest, “Abbasi said. FIR was registered under sections 395/380/440/435/506/427/148/149/186/353."

Category of Incident

Arrest

ICCS Status

ICCS Divisions: 0803-Acts related to freedom of expression or control of expression

ICCS Group: 08039-Other acts related to freedom of expression or control of expression

ICCS Class: N/A

ICCS Crime: Acts against liberty

Reported By

Siyasat.Pk

Date of incident

18

Month

March

Year

2023

Name of affected person

Gohar Siyal

Other affected persons

Not other person affected

Name of affected organization

No organization was affected.

Other affected organizations

No other organization was affected

Action by

Islamabad police officials.

City

Islamabad

Province

Capital Territory

Designation

Youtuber

Professional category

Not Applicable

Age of victim

45

Marital Status

Compensation Details

Amount of compensation announced by government: No compensation announced

Date of compensation announcement by government: No compensation announced

Date of compensation paid by government: No compensation announced

Amount of compensation announced by others: No compensation announced

Date of compensation announced by others: No compensation announced

Date compensation paid by others: No compensation announced

FIR Details

Was FIR registered ?: Yes

Date of FIR: 18/03/2023

FIR Details: FIR number 3/2023.

Police station of FIR: Police station CTD

Name of complainant: Station House Officer Malik Rasheed Ahmed.

Name of accused in FIR: Gohar Siyal and 20 others.

Court Details

Was case investigated ?: No

Court where case was presented: Case is not in any court

Name of prosecuting lawyer: Case is not in any court

Date of first court hearing:

Date of last court hearing:

Status of court case: Case is not in any court

Journalist Union Status

PFUJ

Speaking to PPF Abid Abassi, president of Rawalpindi Islamabad union of journalists, Gohar was arrested along with several PTI workers, and Islamabad police had arrested Gohar mistakenly they thought Gohar was also a social media member of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's social media team, as he was there for the coverage of Imran Khan’s hearing.

APNS

N/A

CPNE

N/A

PBA

N/A

Media Source Status

Media reports:

Condemn Status

Colleague of victim

Not required to contact

Employer organization

Not required to contact

Press Club Status

Press club 1: Not required to contact

Press club 2: N/A

Press club 3: N/A