Case Update Status

Zubair Anjum returned home safely on June 7, 2023.

Summary of Case

"Zubair Anjum, senior executive producer for Geo News was arrested from his residence in Model colony, Malir Karachi on June 6, 2023 around 1 AM in the midnight. Some people in plainclothes raided the house of Zubair Anjum at midnight. Speaking to PPF, Ali Siddiqui, brother of Zubair Anjum told PPF that around 1 AM in the midnight 8-10 people came in plainclothes and they kidnapped Anjum, some of them were in police’s uniform and others were wearing masks and they arrested him without showing any FIR or arrest warrant. “We have no idea where they have taken him. We asked them where they were taking him but they did not respond” Siddiqui added. “My brother used to share every detail with me but he never mentioned that someone is threatening hi before”. Speaking to PPF, Wajahat Anjum, another brother of Zubair, said that they have registered an application in local police station in Malir and according to the police officials Zubair has not taken in any police station of Karachi. “Police instructed us to wait for some hours until his return, so we are waiting for him to return. We will wait for today id he does not return. We will take the matter to the Sindh High Court” Wajahat added. “Police strictly told us not to share the copy of an application with any media personnel” Wajahat told. Speaking to PPF, Faheem Siddiqui, president of Karachi union of journalists said that the reason is not clear behind his abduction however after his arrest some of his Facebook tweets were anti establishment. Maybe that can be the reason for his arrest and raid on his house. “The Sindh protection committee called for a meeting today at 3PM and we will look into this matter” Siddiqui added. Amir Lateef, assistant secretary general of Pakistan Federal union of journalists (Dastoor) told PPF that the family have registered the initial complaint but the reason behind his abduction is not clear, as he is a producer at Geo News he usually did not construct or publish the news, so the reason is unclear for now. Pakistan federal union of journalists (D) President Nawaz Raza and Secretary General A H Khanzada have condemned the police raid on the house of senior journalist Zubair Anjum and his arrest. The PFUJ leaders said the police action, without any warrant or case, is a clear violation of the law and fundamental human rights. They demanded the chief minister Sindh to take notice of the abduction of Zubair Anjum. The PFUJ demands his immediate release and legal action against the perpetrators of this unlawful act. Speaking to PPF, Saeed Sarbazi said that he is unaware of the details of the raid of journalist Anjum, however the press club has condemned the arrest. Kashif Mushtaq, correspondent for Geo News told that Anjum was not arrested some people abducted him for unknown reasons, Kashif Mushtaq further told that he is an executive producer and he did not cover any news but he wrote his thoughts on his social media. "

Category of Incident

Kidnapping

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 related to freedom of expression or control of expression

Reported By

Dawn

Date of incident

6

Month

June

Year

2023

Name of affected person

Zubair Anjum

Other affected persons

Not other person affected

Name of affected organization

Not other person affected

Other affected organizations

No other organization was affected

Action by

By unidentified people.

City

Karachi

Province

Sindh

Designation

Executive producer

Professional category

Journalist

Age of victim

48

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:

FIR Details: Application is not available

Police station of FIR: Application is not available

Name of complainant: Application is not available

Name of accused in FIR: Application is not available

Court Details

Was case investigated ?: No

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

Name of prosecuting lawyer: Case is not in any court

Date of first court hearing:

Date of last court hearing:

Status of court case: Case is not in any court

Journalist Union Status

PFUJ

"The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) condemned the incident. In a statement, shared by The News, PFUJ President GM Jamali and Secretary General Rana Azeem were quoted saying: “If someone has done something illegal, the government must obey the law of the land. He must be charged and dealt with legitimately, but any media person who is wrongfully detained will not be authorised, and we condemn such incidents of missing media persons.” Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists Dastoor President Nawaz Raza and Secretary General AH Khanzada also condemned the incident. The PFUJ Dastoor leadership said that the police action, without any warrant or case, was a clear violation of the law and fundamental human rights. They demanded the provincial chief minister to take notice of the incident and demanded the immediate release of the journalist and for action to be taken against the perpetrators of this “unlawful act”."

APNS

N/A

CPNE

N/A

PBA

N/A

Media Source Status

Media reports:

Condemn Status

Colleague of victim

N/A

Employer organization

N/A

Press Club Status

Press club 1: "Karachi Union of Journalists President Faheem Siddiqi, who is also a member of the Sindh Commission for Protection of Journalists and Other Media Practitioners (CPJMP), told PPF that the Commission had called for a meeting at 3pm on June 6 and would look into the matter. A statement issued by CPJMP Chairperson Justice Retired Rasheed A Rizvi stated that Anjum had been abducted around 2:30 am by unknown armed persons. “Zubair Anjum is not wanted in any criminal case therefore it is a clear case of abduction. It is the duty of the state to protect the life and liberty of all citizens,” the statement read and called upon the Sindh home department secretary and Sindh inspector general of police to recover Anjum and report this to the Commission within 36 hours. In a statement, the Karachi Press Club (KPC) President Saeed Sarbazi, Secretary Shoaib Ahmed and members of the board of directors strongly condemned the incident and termed it a way to constrain freedom of expression of opinion and to take journalists’ freedom under hostage. The press club asked the prime minister, interior minister, foreign minister and provincial chief minister to take immediate notice of the incident and demanded the immediate recovery of KPC member, Anjum."

Press club 2: N/A

Press club 3: N/A