Speaking to Dawn.com, Jan’s wife said that his car was found parked outside a school in Sector G-6 of the capital with one of his mobile phones inside the vehicle.
He was due to appear in the Supreme Court this week after it took suo motu notice of an alleged contemptuous tweet by the journalist.
As the news drew attention of journalists and international rights bodies, a tweet was posted on Matiullah Jan's account at 3:17pm — purportedly by his son — which read: "Matiullahjan, my father, has been abducted from the heart of the capital [Islamabad]. I demand he be found and the agencies behind it immediately be held responsible. God keep him safe."
Meanwhile, Information Minister Shibli Faraz also confirmed the journalist’s abduction during a post-cabinet meeting presser later in the evening. “This much is established that he [Jan] has been kidnapped,” said Faraz. “We will try to find out where he is and how he can be recovered. This is the responsibility of the government and it will fulfil it,” he added.
CCTV footage
Earlier in the day, CCTV footages purportedly showing his alleged abduction surfaced on social media, which showed several armed men exiting at least three vehicles. The footages were shared by several journalists on social media, however, police have yet to comment on their veracity.
'Very disturbing'
Taking notice of the journalist's kidnapping, Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari said Tuesday evening she had reached out to the authorities, with the inspector-general for Islamabad informing her that "they are looking into it".
The minister termed the incident "very disturbing" in a post on her Twitter account.
PML-N condemns Jan's abduction
In a statement, PML-N stalwart Khawaja Asif said: "Matiullah Jan was constantly making efforts for the freedom of the press and his hearing with the Supreme Court, regarding alleged contempt of court, was also due for tomorrow.
"Taking him into custody at this time is an attempt to silence the voice of the media," Asif said, adding that PML-N had always and would continue to support freedom of speech in Pakistan.
PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif termed the disappearance as "highly condemnable & matter of deep concern".
"The government's campaign to muzzle the media & critical voices is simply shameful. If something happens to Matiullah, PM will be held responsible," Sharif said on Twitter.
Earlier in the day, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) had said Jan went missing from Islamabad’s Sector G-6 where he had gone to pick his wife from school.
The HRCP demanded the government ensure the "safe recovery" of the journalist after reports emerged that he had gone missing in the federal capital.
Jan's "family confirms that he has gone missing", the organisation added in a statement posted on Twitter.
In an interview with Independent Urdu, the journalist's wife said his car was found outside her school in Islamabad's G-6 area, with the keys still inside. "I have been told some people forcibly took away my husband," she said.
Police said they had started an investigation regarding the matter.
History of violence against journalists'
The journalist was supposed to appear before the Supreme Court this week in relation to a contempt case based on an allegedly contemptuous tweet by him.
Meanwhile, the International Press Institute (IPI) issued a statement expressing outrage at the incident.
"We fear that Mutiullah Jan’s life is in danger, and immediate steps must be taken to locate him and ensure his release from his apparent kidnappers," IPI Deputy Director Scott Griffen said.
"Given the history of violence against journalists in Pakistan, the authorities cannot delay in seeking to protect Jan’s safety."
Video of the Linkhttps://youtu.be/9Mh8GURD-rU
Matiullah Jan is a journalist, communication trainer and a media law expert who also manages a personal Youtube channel by the name of MJtv.
The former host of an investigative talk show on Waqt TV and a DawnNewsTV programme, Jan served as a special correspondent for the Supreme Court and legal affairs, according to his LinkedIn profile.
He has also written columns for daily The Nation and Urdu daily Nawaiwaqt on national socio-political issues. He ia a Chevening scholar and holds a Masters in International Journalism from City, University of London, as well as a Masters in Defence and Strategic Studies from Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad.
Jan underwent three and a half years of military training as a cadet in the Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul, according to his profile.
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