Case Update Status

Journalist returned to Pakistan on Sep 9, 2021.

Summary of Case

"On 26 Aug, 2021 Muhammad Iqbal Mengal, reporter of 92 News from Khuzdar was detained by Taliban's from Kabul where he was reporting about the blast of Kabul Airport.

Iqbal gave live beeper in a show “The Last Hour” hosted by Rana Azeem on 92 News, It was a last report covered by Iqbal before the detention.

Bureau chief of 92 news Quetta, Mr. Khalil Ahmed told PPF that 92 News did not assigned the assignment of reporting from Afghanistan to Iqbal, He went there 16 days ago by his own choice. Iqbal used to make footage of the incidents from his mobile and report them to 92 News. No one could contact him after the incident of Kabul blast, then after that 92 News came to know that Taliban's detained Iqbal Mengal for his suspected activities. But, according to recent reports Taliban's released the journalists but they are still in Afghanistan.

On Aug 31, 2021 General Secretary of PFUJ and anchorperson of 92 News Mr. Rana Azeem told PPf that he is in contact will Iqbal, he is now free will come back in 2 to 3 days. However, Mr. Rana said that the other details will unfold when Iqbal reached back to Pakistan.

On Aug 31, 2021 President of Quetta Press Club Mr. Khalid rind advised to contact Khuzdar Press Club as he don’t have information.

On Aug 31, 2021 President of Khuzdar Press Club Mr. Muneer Noor told PPF that Mr. Rana Azeem is handling the matter, Rana contacted Pakistan Embassy and resolve the matter. He further added that Iqbal was in Afghanistan without visa and without any back of Media outlet. He performed his duties in two cities Qandahar and Herat and then moved to Kabul for reporting purposes.

Mr. Rana Azeem said that He has all the information but cannot share as it is a matter of Iqbal's Security, he will share once Iqbal will reach Pakistan safely and said that Iqbal is only in contact with him.

On Sep 1, 2021 Brother of Muhammad Iqbal Mengal, Mr. Nazeer Mengal told PPF that his brother has been released by Taliban's, He will come back tomorrow 10 AM. After that they will further details. "

Category of Incident

Detained

ICCS Status

ICCS Divisions: 0202- Acts against liberty

ICCS Group: 02022- Deprivation of liberty

ICCS Class: 020222- Illegal restraint

ICCS Crime: Illegal Restraint

Reported By

Journalism Pakistan

Date of incident

26

Month

August

Year

2021

Name of affected person

Muhammad Iqbal Mengal

Other affected persons

No other person affected

Name of affected organization

92 News

Other affected organizations

No other organization affected

Action by

Tehreek-e-Taliban (Afghanistan)

City

Kabul (Afghanistan)

Province

Kabul (Afghanistan)

Designation

Reporter

Professional category

Journalist

Age of victim

30

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 ?: No

Court Details

Was case investigated ?: No FIR registered

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

Name of prosecuting lawyer: Case not presented in any court

Date of first court hearing:

Date of last court hearing:

Status of court case: Case not presented in any court

Journalist Union Status

PFUJ

"General Secretary of PFUJ and anchorperson of 92 News Mr. Rana Azeem told PPf that he is in contact will Iqbal, he is now free will come back in 2 to 3 days. However, Mr. Rana said that the other details will unfold when Iqbal reached back to Pakistan. "

APNS

CPNE

PBA

Media Source Status

Media reports:

Condemn Status

Colleague of victim

N/A

Employer organization

Bureau chief of 92 news Quetta, Mr. Khalil Ahmed told PPF that 92 News did not assigned the assignment of reporting from Afghanistan to Iqbal, He went there 16 days ago by his own choice. Iqbal used to make footage of the incidents from his mobile and report them to 92 News. No one could contact him after the incident of Kabul blast, then after that 92 News came to know that Taliban's detained Iqbal Mengal for his suspected activities. But, according to recent reports Taliban's released the journalists but they are still in Afghanistan.

Press Club Status

Press club 1: "President of Khuzdar Press Club Mr. Muneer Noor told PPF that Mr. Rana Azeem is handling the matter, Rana contacted Pakistan Embassy and resolve the matter. He further added that Iqbal was in Afghanistan without visa and without any back of Media outlet. He performed his duties in two cities Qandahar and Herat and then moved to Kabul for reporting purposes. Mr. Rana Azeem said that He has all the information but cannot share as it is a matter of Iqbal's Security, he will share once Iqbal will reach Pakistan safely and said that Iqbal is only in contact with him. "

Press club 2:

Press club 3: