Siddique Jan arrested for sharing video of shelling on PTI supporters

ISLAMABAD – Amid the ongoing crackdown on the media in Pakistan, Pakistani state authorities are alleged to have arrested another journalist, Siddique Jan, in the federal capital. 

According to media reports, Jan, who is currently working as Bureau Chief of Bol News TV in Islamabad, was present outside his office when some men in plainclothes whisked him away.

As soon as the news of Jan's arrest broke out, #ReleaseSiddiqueJan became the top trend on Twitter in Pakistan.  National Press Club Islamabad President Anwar Raza, RIUJ President Abid Abbasi and other journalists expressed solidarity with Jan and demanded his release.

https://twitter.com/AroobaAjmal20/status/1637895700980846592

On Saturday, when ousted prime minister Imran Khan arrived in Islamabad from Lahore to attend a court hearing, Jan was present inside the Federal Judicial Complex where the hearing was to take place and was seen telling the policemen not to fire teargas shells on Khan's supporters because they would retaliate.

Jan has been accused of sharing some videos of the police shelling on the PTI supporters outside the Federal Judicial Complex and inciting violence against the law enforcement agencies.