Islamabad: The Awami Workers Party condemns abduction of Matiullah Jan, an upright and outspoken journalist, in broad daylight from outside a school in Islamabad.
The AWP leadership is deeply concerned at increasing incidents of abduction of political and human rights activists, journalists.
We see this incident as part of the growing assault on freedom of press and speech by the hybrid regime currently in charge of the country, which is eliminating all possibility of peaceful and constitutional dissent.
The party leadership also considers this a part of the move by the powerful state organs to control the media, after controlling political parties, economy, judiciary and other state functionaries to suppress independent and dissenting voices, and creating an environment of fear.
In a joint statement AWP President Yusouf Mustikhan, secretary-general Akhtar Hussain, Deputy secretary-general Ismat Shahjehan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa President Haider Zaman Khan, Sindh President Dr Bakhshal Thalho, Balochistan President Yusouf Kakar, Punjab President Ammar Rashid, Seraiki-Waseb President Farhat Abbas, JKAWP chairman Nisar Shah, and AWPGB leader Zahoor Ilahi expressed solidarity with the family of Matiullah Jan, the journalists community and endorsed PFUJ demand for his safe recovery.
It is the responsibility of the government to provide safety and security to every citizen, irrespective of his or her religious or political beliefs.
It is worth bearing in mind that this abduction comes in the wake of a series of abductions of activists and political workers, including an AWP worker, in different parts of the country.
Matiullah Jan is an upright, fearless and honest journalist who has stood courageously by the progressive forces and people of Pakistan who are striving to realise their constitutional and fundamental rights.
He has been critical of the anti-people policies of various governments, exposing the wrongdoings, corruption and misdemeanours of powerful state organs and individuals.
He had recently been summoned to the Supreme Court for contempt proceedings because he commented on the Qazi Faez Isa case.
The Islamabad High Court had dismissed a petition against him on the same grounds.
The party demands the government and the security agencies ensure Matiullah Jan’s immediate and safe recovery and take action against those responsible for this illegal act.
We call on all progressive and democratic forces to unite in nonviolent resistance to protect our constitutional freedoms.
AWP Information Secretary