Case Update Status

Siddique Jan was released by the ATC Islamabad on March 22, 2023.

Summary of Case

"Siddique Jan, Bol News Bureau Chief has been arrested from outside his office in Islamabad. Journalist Siddique Jan was arrested by plainclothes men from outside his Bol News office in Islamabad. Sources said that the journalist was arrested for a viral video of teargas shelling. Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) President Afzal Butt condemned the arrest of Siddique Jan and slammed the government for harassing the journalists. The PFUJ Secretary-General said in a statement that the arrests of journalists are a condemnable and sorrowful move. Khawar Abbas, Bureau chief of Bol News Lahore told PPF that it is not confirmed where Siddique is right now and police are not telling anything in this regard. Rana Azeem, general secretary of PFUJ informed PPF that PFUJ has called for the protest today in support of Siddique Jan. Shahid Ajmal, correspondent of The Nation and fellow of PPF told PPF that today Siddique Jan was presented by the Islamabad police in high court and said Siddique Jan was involved in riots in the Zaman park. Lala Asad Pathan – PFUJ Finance Secretary – also condemned Siddique Jan’s arrest. He hinted at countrywide protests if the rulers keep going on arresting and harassing the journalists. In a statement, the FIA said that the BOL TV’s co-Chairman was arrested over persistent absences despite receiving the call-up notices. “The authority has served several summon notices to Sheikh in a case,” it said. Ramna police has registered an FIR against the journalist. The FIR was registered under sections 148 (rioting, armed with a deadly weapon), 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 380 (theft in dwelling house, etc), 395 (punishment for dacoity), 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees), 435 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to cause damage to amount of one hundred rupees), 440 (mischief committed after preparation made for causing death or hurt) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Pakistan Penal Code."

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

Dawn

Date of incident

21

Month

March

Year

2023

Name of affected person

Siddique Jan

Other affected persons

Waqas Mahmoood, Sunny, Ahsan Butt, Muhammad Danish and Zahid Iqbal.

Name of affected organization

Bol news

Other affected organizations

No other organization was affected

Action by

By the Anti Terrorsim court.

City

Islamabad

Province

Capital Territory

Designation

Reporter

Professional category

Journalist

Age of victim

36

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: 20/03/2023

FIR Details: FIR was registered under sections under sections 148 (rioting, armed with a deadly weapon), 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 380 (theft in dwelling house, etc), 395 (punishment for dacoity), 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees), 435 (mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to cause damage to amount of one hundred rupees), 440 (mischief committed after preparation made for causing death or hurt) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Police station of FIR: Ramna police station

Name of complainant: SHO Ramna police station.

Name of accused in FIR: Siddique Jan.

Court Details

Was case investigated ?: Yes case was investigated

Court where case was presented: Islamabad anti-terrorism court

Name of prosecuting lawyer: Not avaialble

Date of first court hearing: 21/03/2023

Date of last court hearing: 22/03/2023

Status of court case: Siddique jan was released on March 22, 2023.

Journalist Union Status

PFUJ

Lala Asad Pathan – PFUJ Finance Secretary – also condemned Siddique Jan’s arrest. He hinted at countrywide protests if the rulers keep going on arresting and harassing the journalists. Rana Azeem, general secretary of PFUJ informed PPF that PFUJ has called for the protest today in support of Siddique Jan.

APNS

N/A

CPNE

N/A

PBA

N/A

Media Source Status

Media reports:

Condemn Status

Colleague of victim

Shahid Ajmal, correspondent of The Nation and fellow of PPF told PPF that today Siddique Jan was presented by the Islamabad police in high court and said Siddique Jan was involved in riots in the Zaman park.

Employer organization

Khawar Abbas, Bureau chief of Bol News Lahore told PPF that it is not confirmed where Siddique is right now and police are not telling anything in this regard.

Press Club Status

Press club 1: Not required to contact

Press club 2: N/A

Press club 3: N/A