Anum Sheikh

FOE Link or motive by PPF

Confirmed

Case Update Status

Justice Chaudhry Abdul Aziz ordered to islmabad poliuce to release Anum Sheikh as they arrested her on the basis of allegations. Anum Sheikh released on May 22, 2023.

Summary of Case

"Social activist Anum Sheikh was arrested by an Islamabad police official on May 19, 2023, from her residence on orders of 3-MPO. Anum Sheikh was shifted to Adiala Jail after the arrest. Anum is a YouTuber and social activist. Currently, she is not affiliated with any mainstream media organization. Speaking to PPF, Mariam Elahi, sister of Anum Sheikh confirmed that Anum is not missing she is in Adialia Jail and she was arrested on the allegations of having affiliation with Pakistan Tehreek e Insaaf. Elahi said in today’s court proceedings, the chief justice asked Islamabad police on what charges they arrested Sheikh to which the police replied that they arrested Sheikh on 3-MPO and having affiliation with Pakistan Tehreek -e-Insaaf to which the chief justice declared the 3-MPO illegal and ordered to release Sheikh. Speaking to PPF, Mirza Asif Abbas legal representative of Sheikh told that today in the first court proceeding in the Lahore High Court Rawalpindi bench justice Chaudhry Abdul Aziz had declared the 3-MPO illegal and after the signature of deputy Commissioner Rawalpindi Hassan Waqar Cheema. Sadia Mazhar, a former fellow of PPF told that in Sheikh’s case journalist community is not condemning the arrest as Sheikh is not a verified journalist and due to her affiliation with Pakistan Tehreek -e-Insaaf and her pro-PTI tweets journalists in Islamabad are not supporting her or condemning the arrest. Tariq Ali Virk, general secretary of the Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists, told PPF that Sheikh is a YouTuber and influencer and the union only supports and has information related to journalists. Afzal Butt, president of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists told PPF that PFUJ only condemned and supports journalists in Pakistan and Sheikh is not a verified journalist neither we have any information regarding her case nor we have condemned the arrest. PPF has also tried to contact Myra Azam, vice president of the National Press Club for the case of Anum Sheikh and she said that the National Press Club has not condemned the issue till now and there is no such update on her case. "

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

Twitter

Date of incident

19

Month

May

Year

2023

Name of affected person

Anum Sheikh

Other affected persons

Not other person affected

Name of affected organization

Youtuber

Other affected organizations

No other organization was affected

Action by

By the Islamabad police

City

Islamabad

Province

Capital Territory

Designation

Host

Professional category

Journalist

Age of victim

24

Marital Status

Single

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 ?: Yes

Court where case was presented: The Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi bench.

Name of prosecuting lawyer: Mirza Asif Ali

Date of first court hearing: 22/05/2023

Date of last court hearing: 22/05/2023

Status of court case: Justice Chaudhry Abdul Aziz declared the 3-MPO order of Anum Sheikh illegal and ordered the police to release the journalist.

Journalist Union Status

PFUJ

Not required to contact

APNS

CPNE

PBA

Media Source Status

Media reports:

https://twitter.com/SdqJaan/status/1660565061620887555

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:

Press club 3: