Senior journalist Waris Raza returns home after being ‘abducted’ in Karachi
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Senior journalist and columnist Waris Raza, who was reportedly abducted from his house in Karachi late on Tuesday night, was released on Wednesday evening, confirmed family and colleagues.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Waris’s daughter Laila Raza said that four vehicles arrived at their residence between 2:30 to 3:00 in the morning and asked for her father.
"First they took my father’s wallet and mobile and confirmed his identity. They later took him with them," she said.
Read more: Journalist Asad Ali Toor attacked in Islamabad
Laila said that Waris called them between 3:30 and 4am and told them that he is being taken for "interrogation". "I asked him where he was being taken, to which he replied probably to Saddar," she said and added that they could not make contact with her father after that.
She said that she took to the matter to social media and contacted many journalists’ bodeis. "Journalists whether they belonged to any channel or organisation helped us immensely and I am so thankful to them."
Laila further said that her father called them at around 5:30pm today saying that he’s been dropped at Mobina Town police station. He later returned home, she added.
Also read: IHC seeks report on missing journalist
Earlier, in her tweet, Laila had said that the senior journalist was abducted as "they want to suppress all progressive voice" and her father had done nothing wrong.
It’s been ten hours now, my papa, senior journalist and columnist Waris Raza was abducted by law enforcement agencies last night, they want to suppress all progressive voices! My father has done nothing but speak truth to powers that be!#ReleaseWarisRaza
— Laila Raza (@LylaRaza) September 22, 2021
Please raise voice for my father’s recovery. My family and I request you all to please be with us in demanding his safe recovery. #ReleaseWarisRaza pic.twitter.com/IpCjXEWhj7
— Laila Raza (@LylaRaza) September 22, 2021
My father, senior journalist Waris Raza, has been released. He is doing ok. Thank you all for your prompt action and well wishes. Highly indebted. 🙏🏽
— Laila Raza (@LylaRaza) September 22, 2021
Condemnations over the alleged human rights violation, demands for his release and calls for protest came from all corners including journalists, civil society members, human rights groups and political workers.
Waris has served for over 30 years in print and electronic media and had reportedly been associated with ARY and Urdu daily Express, among other media organisations. He had recently published a book on the history of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists’ (PFUJ) struggle for press freedom in the country.
The PFUJ and the Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) condemned the alleged abduction and demanded his immediate release, with the former calling for country-wide protests. A similar statement, endorsed by senior journalists, lawyers, educationists, the Awami Workers Party, Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum, Progressive Students Federation, gender and labour rights’ groups besides political workers, was issued by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and the Joint Action Committee, condemning the alleged abduction and demanding Raza’s swift release.
By Wednesday evening, Raza’s colleagues and the family confirmed that he had returned home. “Senior Journalist Waris Raza who was picked up in the early hours of Wednesday and freed after nearly 10 hours detention thanks all those who have expressed solidarity with him [sic],” tweeted veteran journalist Mazhar Abbas at around 6pm. “I am fine and thankful to all those who raised voice for me,” Abbas quoted Raza as saying.
Senior Journalist Waris Raza who was picked up in the early hours of Wednesday and freed after nearly 10 hours detention thanks all those who have expressed solidarity with him." I am fine and thankful to all those who raised voice for me."
– Mazhar Abbas (@MazharAbbasGEO) September 22, 2021 Senior journalist Hamid Mir also expressed his concerns over the incident. A senior journalist Waris Raza who compiled a book recently about the 70 years struggle of @OfficialPfuj for the Press Freedom in Pakistan, arrested from his home in Karachi last night.I stand by fficOfficialKUJ and strongly condemn the arrest of Waris Raza @RSF_inter pressfreedom https://t.co/QMQt7yA9Ok – Hamid Mir (@HamidMirPAK) September 22, 2021 Karachi Union of Journalists also condemned the incident on its Twitter handle. Senior journalist Karachi Press Club and رکنOfficialKUJ member وارثOfficialPfuj’s 70-year historical struggle as a book editor Waris Raza was taken into custody from his house last night and transferred to an unknown location, KUJ condemns demand immediate release UnionHamidMirPAK @MazharAbbasGEO @geofahmigeo pic.twitter.com/7aI0rC7VIh – Karachi Union of Journalists (@OfficialKUJ) September 22, 2021 Former Senator and PPP member Farhatullah Babar termed the abduction "deeply disconcerting".
Deeply disconcerting. Demand safe return immediately. Produce before court if any wrongdoing alleged. Such abduction allegedly by law enforcing agencies is state terrorism. #ReleaseWarisRaza@HRCP87 @hrw @amnestysasia https://t.co/KScg4l2KZX
— Farhatullah Babar (@FarhatullahB) September 22, 2021
MNA Mohsin Dawar said that Raza’s abduction shows the vulnerability of anyone daring to disagree with state’s narrative.
Waris Raza sb’s abduction shows the vulnerability of anyone daring to disagree with state’s narrative. The ordeal of thousands of missing persons has begun similarly. Their families tortured by the uncertainty, at times for decades. This is a despicable practice #ReleaseWarisRaza https://t.co/olKXC4B5Eb
— Mohsin Dawar (@mjdawar) September 22, 2021
Family and friends of Journalist Waris Raza allege that he was picked up by dozens of Rangers personnel in front of their eyes past midnight and hasn’t returned yet #ReleaseWarisRaza#JournalismIsNotACrime
— Mubashir Zaidi (@Xadeejournalist) September 22, 2021
Waris Raza who has always fought against the oppression and tyranny through his pen. He has remained part of labor and journalists movement and is a fierce critic of hybrid regime of Pakistan.
He has been abducted by LEAs only for standing up for the people.#ReleaseWarisRaza pic.twitter.com/rl0Z2Zjc91
— Khurram Ali (@AliMantiq) September 22, 2021
Waris Raza is a senior progressive journalist & writer with impeccable credentials who has consistently used his pen to highlight injustices that otherwise remain unheard. His abduction by Rangers is illegal & unconstitutional. He must be released at once. #ReleaseWarisRaza https://t.co/SdDr9RCpu4
— Ammar Rashid (@AmmarRashidT) September 22, 2021
Journalists & political dissidents are continually abducted, while we are told – we are sold this lie – that such insecurity is what counts as ‘security’ in Pakistan.
In solidarity with Waris, Laila & their family. #ReleaseWarisRaza #JournalismIsNotACrime https://t.co/NurK5zDgV7
— Reem Khurshid (@ReemKhurshid) September 22, 2021
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