Case Update Status

Journalist was released same day.

Summary of Case

Senior journalist Waris Raza, columnist of Daily Express was detained from his home in Karachi in the wee hours of Wednesday Sep 22. He recently compiled a book by Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) about the 70-year struggle for press freedom by the union.

Mr. Waris Raza updated PPF about the arrest as the officials in Rangers uniform and some in the civil dress came to his home in four vehicles around 2:30 AM of Wednesday midnight. First, they took his wallet and mobile and confirmed his identity. He was then taken to an unknown location where he was constantly blindfolded.

He was referred to Facebook posts, a column in the Express was put up and asked, "Are you against the hybrid system, is it really that bad?" In response, Waris said that he writes under the right obtained under Article 19 of the Constitution of Pakistan.

Waris said that no one can stop the voice of truth. He was also asked about PDMA, “Why are you against Pakistan Media Development Authority Ordinance?”. In response Waris replied that PMDA is against our constitutional rights, we cannot accept it.

1 question was asked by 15 different people to deviate him, when he answered all their questions with the present mind, the officials reacted politely and said “you are a brave man but think before speaking about the state, Waris told PPF.

They drop him at the Mobina Town Police Station, from where he reached home safely. According to him, he was released because of prompt response and pressure from his daughters and journalist bodies.

The security agencies can arrest a journalist if he works against the constitution, but he did not do anything which was against the law of Pakistan, Waris added.

He advised all journalists, “We have to fight with the dangers, the paths of success open with dangers. Write consciously and stick to your word۔"

He said he will soon take legal action by using the recently passed “Journalist Protection Bill” and will set an example for others.

President of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists Mr. Shehzada Zulfiqar told PPF that he do not know much about it but we condemn it. According to sources some Rangers officials came to his home late night and took him. Still the matter is unclear. Waris Raja has always worked for press freedom and his arrest is concerning.

General Secretary of Karachi union of Journalists Mr. Faheem Siddiqui told PPF that we condemn this act of Pakistan Rangers and will protest tomorrow outside the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Waris was taken into custody from his house last night and transferred to an unknown location, He demands immediate release of journalist.

Daughter of Waris Raza, Ms. Laila Raza tweeted “It’s been ten hours now, my papa, senior journalist and columnist Waris Raza was abducted by law enforcement agencies last night, they want to suppress all progressive voices! My father has done nothing but speak truth to powers that be!”

Senior journalist Mr. Talat Hussain tweeted, “Waris Raza, a column writer and a staunch media freedom fighter, has been kidnapped from his residence. Family sources say he had been getting threats on account of his writings. This is condemnable and another atrocity. He must be found and immediately freed.”

News Editor of Express news Mr. jibran told PPF that they are not aware of the matter.

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

PPF

Date of incident

22

Month

September

Year

2021

Name of affected person

Waris Raza

Other affected persons

No other person affected

Name of affected organization

Express News

Other affected organizations

No other organization affected

Action by

Rangers

City

Karachi

Province

Sindh

Designation

Columnist

Professional category

Journalist

Age of victim

61

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

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

Name of prosecuting lawyer: Case was not presented in any court

Date of first court hearing:

Date of last court hearing:

Status of court case: Case was not presented in any court

Journalist Union Status

PFUJ

President of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists Mr. Shehzada Zulfiqar told PPF that he do not know much about it but we condemn it. According to sources some Rangers officials came to his home late night and took him. Still the matter is unclear. Waris Raja has always worked for press freedom and his arrest is concerning.

APNS

CPNE

PBA

Media Source Status

Media reports:

Condemn Status

Colleague of victim

General Secretary of Karachi union of Journalists Mr. Faheem Siddiqui told PPF that we condemn this act of Pakistan Rangers and will protest tomorrow outside the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Waris was taken into custody from his house last night and transferred to an unknown location, He demands immediate release of journalist. Daughter of Waris Raza, Ms. Laila Raza tweeted “It’s been ten hours now, my papa, senior journalist and columnist Waris Raza was abducted by law enforcement agencies last night, they want to suppress all progressive voices! My father has done nothing but speak truth to powers that be!” Senior journalist Mr. Talat Hussain tweeted, “Waris Raza, a column writer and a staunch media freedom fighter, has been kidnapped from his residence. Family sources say he had been getting threats on account of his writings. This is condemnable and another atrocity. He must be found and immediately freed.”

Employer organization

N/A

Press Club Status

Press club 1: N/A

Press club 2:

Press club 3: