Investigative journalist Shahid Aslam was reportedly ‘abducted’ by law enforcement agents, presumably from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), in Lahore sometime on Friday.
News of the journalist being ‘kidnapped’ by the FIA was shared, and condemned, by other senior journalists on Twitter.
Another Pakistani journalist @ShahidAslam87 got arrested by @FIA_Agency – allegation: helping @Ahmad_Noorani to collect data of Gen Bajwa’s family. What a country ? Where are we living ? #mediafreedom #mediainchains
— Azaz Syed (@AzazSyed) January 13, 2023
بریکنگ نیوز: FIA اسلام آباد نے @Ahmad_Noorani کی جنرل باجوہ بارے رپورٹ کے سلسلے میں ایک نوجوان صحافی دوست @ShahidAslam87 کو انتہائی شرمناک طریقے سے لاہور سے اٹھایا اور اسلام آباد لا کر بند کر دیا ہے اور یہ پوچھ گچھ کر رہے ہیں کہ آیا FBR سے ڈیٹا لے کر اس نے احمد نورانی کو دیا؟
— Umar Cheema (@UmarCheema1) January 13, 2023
Media watchdogs defending press freedom in Pakistan have also condemned the arbitrary detention of Shahid Aslam.
#Lahore
FIA picks up @ShahidAslam87 for what local journalists said contribution to a story about alleged ex-army chief’s increasing wealth. #FreedomNetwork calls the arrest an attack on #FreePress and demands immediate release. #JournalismIsNotACrime #JournalismMatters pic.twitter.com/J3lAMoQ7j4— Freedom Network (@pressfreedompk) January 14, 2023
While it is being alleged that Aslam has been arrested in connection with his work on the exposé of former army chief General (retired) Bajwa’s tax documents, journalist Ahmad Noorani has clarified that Aslam had nothing to do with that scoop.
پیارے بھائی اسد طور،
شاہد اسلم زبردست تحقیقاتی صحافی ہیں جنہوں نے دی نیوز اور بی بی سی کیلیےشاندار خبریں کیں۔ مگر انکا سابق آرمی چیف قمر باجوہ کےاثاثوں کےحوالےسےمیری خبر سےکبھی بھی کسی بھی طور پر کوئی تعلق نہیں رہا۔ ن لیگ کےگھٹیاسیاستدان اپنی گھٹیاسیاست کررہےہیں، وجہ آپ جانتےہیں۔ https://t.co/R0WNwOJREl— Ahmad Noorani (@Ahmad_Noorani) January 13, 2023
Sources are claiming that Aslam will be produced before senior civil judge Muhammad Shabbir in Islamabad today (Saturday).
Is it FIA or FKA? Federal Kidnapping Agency? https://t.co/Rzf10k5kBz
— Hamid Mir (@HamidMirPAK) January 14, 2023
