The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) strongly condemns the unjust actions taken by the state against senior journalist Matiullah Jan, who was arrested on charges of terrorism after being apprehended at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad on November 27, 2024.
The charges brought against Matiullah Jan are not only unfounded but also a direct attack on press freedom. PFUJ considers the allegations to be ridiculous, and the decision by the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad to grant a two-day physical remand as both excessive and unwarranted. While the spread of misinformation in media is a serious concern, resorting to terrorism charges against a journalist is a gross overreach and a clear violation of journalistic freedoms.
Matiullah Jan, an established figure in Pakistani journalism, has been vocal on multiple social issues, including government accountability and the rights of citizens. His arrest follows a pattern of increasing crackdowns on independent journalism, where journalists are targeted for their investigative work, especially when covering politically sensitive topics.
PFUJ stresses that journalism should not be criminalized, and accusations of spreading fake news must be handled through proper legal channels rather than using terrorism laws to silence critical voices. The fact that Matiullah Jan’s arrest comes on the heels of reporting surrounding the PTI’s agitation and the subsequent events of November 26 further raises concerns about the growing environment of intimidation faced by journalists in Pakistan.
PFUJ demands that all terrorism-related charges against Matiullah Jan be immediately dropped, and if there is any merit to allegations of misinformation, he should be tried under the appropriate laws related to the spread of fake news, not under terrorism laws. The PFUJ also calls for a transparent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his arrest, urging authorities to respect the rights of journalists and the critical role of media in a democracy.
