ISLAMABAD, March 20, 2025 – Senior journalist Waheed Murad was reportedly forcibly taken from his residence in Islamabad’s Sector G-8 by masked individuals dressed in black uniforms in the early hours of Wednesday.
Allegations of Forced Abduction
- Murad’s wife, speaking to Geo News, stated that a group of men stormed into their home around 2 AM and forcibly took him away in a black vehicle (“dala”).
- The men accused Murad of being an Afghan and demanded proof of identity. When he slid his ID card under the door, they broke in and seized him.
- Murad’s mother-in-law, who was present at the scene, requested them to send female police officers, but the intruders refused and took him away.
- The masked men confiscated both Murad’s and his mother-in-law’s phones before leaving.
Legal Action and Police Response
- Murad’s mother-in-law filed a petition for his recovery through Advocates Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha.
- The petition names the interior secretary, defence secretary, Islamabad police inspector general, and the SHO of Karachi Company police station as respondents.
- It claims that police vehicles were also present during the abduction, raising questions about law enforcement’s involvement.
- A complaint was lodged at Karachi Company police station, but no FIR was registered.
- The petition demands Murad’s immediate recovery and legal action against those responsible for his alleged abduction.
Concerns Over Press Freedom
Murad’s disappearance comes amid growing concerns over journalist safety in Pakistan, with multiple incidents of harassment, arrests, and enforced disappearances reported in recent years. Rights groups and journalist organizations have repeatedly called for accountability and legal protections for media professionals.
His family, lawyers, and colleagues are demanding immediate action and clarity on his whereabouts. The government and security agencies have yet to issue an official statement on the matter.
