Islamabad police announced that Siddique Jan had been detained about the rioting and violence that broke out outside the Federal Judicial Complex (FJC) when former premier Imran Khan appeared in a hearing on the Toshakhana issue.
According to media reports, men in plain clothes picked up Siddique Jan outside the BOL News Headquarters in Islamabad and took him away. CCTV footage showed more than 25–30 men approaching from the outside and driving off with Siddique Jan.
According to Ramna Police Station, Siddique Jan was not in prison. Siddique Jan had previously expressed worry that he would be detained by law enforcement.
Siddique Jan was recently sent a notice by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cybercrime for allegedly encouraging individuals on social media. The summons had been contested by him in the Islamabad High Court.
Siddique Jan claimed that the FIA had not given him any prior warning and that he is prepared to defend himself in court against the charges leveled against him. He added that false accusations had been made against him.
The FIA and Islamabad Police had been ordered by the court to stop harassing Siddique Jan. Once the journalist and his attorney entered the courtroom, Chief Judge Aamer Farooq heard the case that had been filed.
Earlier on Monday, Siddique Jan promised to expose the truth about the video that was claimed to be him. He charged PML-N Chief Organizer Maryam Nawaz and the PMLN’s whole social media network with propagandizing in his tweet. He claimed to provide proof that “would reveal the false narratives” they were peddling, noting that these narratives frequently work against their creators.
PTI Chairman Imran Khan also condemned the abduction of journalist Siddique Jan on Twitter.
Khan wrote, “Strongly condemn the arrest of Siddique Jan Bol News Bureau Chief Islamabad. Anyone thought to be pro-PTI is now brazenly targeted. Imran Riaz, Jamil Faruqi, Sabir Shakir, Sami Ibrahim, Ch Ghulam Hussain, and Moeed Pirzada – all victimized. Arshad Sharif was murdered. BOL & ARY owners targeted.”
