Case Update Status

Journalist was later released following court orders.

Summary of Case

"On 23 Sep, 2020 Islamabad Police arrested Ehtisham Kiyani, a senior journalist with 24 News Television in a fake case when he arrived at the Islamabad High Court (IHC).

Police took the journalist to Ramna Station but following court orders, released him.

Kiyani was at the IHC to cover a case involving PMLN Vice President Maryam Nawaz and her husband Capt. (Retd) Safdar.

Police told journalists that IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah had ordered Kiyani’s arrest. However, the CJ said he had issued no such order and asked police to free the reporter.

Journalists condemned the arrest and expressed solidarity with him. They termed it a cruel and unreasonable act and demanded that Minister Imran Khan and Interior Minister Ijaz Shah take notice of the incident.

Geo News presenter Hamid Mir told 24 News that the police also tortured Kiyani. The newsmen staged protest demonstrations across the country condemning the arrest of Ehtisham Kiyani, terming the move cruel and unreasonable and demanding Prime Minister Imran Khan and Interior Minister Ijaz Shah to take notice of the incident.

Renowned journalist Hamid Mir denounced the arrest of Ehtisham Kiyani, saying where there is no press freedom there is nothing.

In his reaction, PFUJ Secretary General Rana Azeem said the government wanted to turn every channel into PTV (Pakistan Television). Afzal Butt said they will not allow anyone to hurt media. “We will face the ‘dirty tactics’,” he added.

Journalists in Islamabad, Lahore, Multan, Mianwali, Toba Tek Singh and other cities stages protests where they raised slogans in support of Ehtisham Kiyani. They vowed to protect the sanctity of pen and camera.

In conversation with PPF Ehtisham Kiyani said that He was at the IHC to cover a case involving PMLN Vice President Maryam Nawaz and her husband Capt. (Retd) Safdar. No one was allowed there except the reporters of High Court beat.

Ehtisham added that he thinks Police misunderstood and arrested him. Later on police officials came and apologized. "

Category of Incident

Arrest

ICCS Status

ICCS Divisions: 0202-Acts against liberty

ICCS Group: 02022-Deprivation of liberty

ICCS Class: N/A

ICCS Crime: Acts against liberty

Reported By

Journalism Pakistan

Date of incident

23

Month

September

Year

2020

Name of affected person

Ehtisham Kiyani

Other affected persons

No other person affected

Name of affected organization

24 News

Other affected organizations

No other organization affected

Action by

Police

City

Islamabad

Province

Capital Territory

Designation

Reporter

Professional category

Journalist

Age of victim

29 Years

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 ?: Case was not registered

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

In his reaction, PFUJ Secretary General Rana Azeem said the government wanted to turn every channel into PTV (Pakistan Television). Afzal Butt said they will not allow anyone to hurt media. “We will face the ‘dirty tactics’,” he added.

APNS

CPNE

PBA

Media Source Status

Media reports:

Condemn Status

Colleague of victim

"Geo News presenter Hamid Mir told 24 News that the police also tortured Kiyani. The newsmen staged protest demonstrations across the country condemning the arrest of Ehtisham Kiyani, terming the move cruel and unreasonable and demanding Prime Minister Imran Khan and Interior Minister Ijaz Shah to take notice of the incident. Renowned journalist Hamid Mir denounced the arrest of Ehtisham Kiyani, saying where there is no press freedom there is nothing."

Employer organization

24 News condemn

Press Club Status

Press club 1: Islamabad press club condemn

Press club 2:

Press club 3: