Pakistani Journalist Gul Bukhari Returns Back Safely after Abduction by Masked Men
Pakistani Journalist- Gul Bukhari who frequently criticised the military was kidnapped by masked men in Lahore. She was freed hours later.
Gul Bukhari was on her way to the Waqt TV studio late on Tuesday night when she was stopped by masked men in the army controlled cantonment area. She was on her way to the television studio to record a show. Waqt TV driver was driving the journalist to the channel’s office when the car was stopped by 4 to 6 double cabins. The men in“army uniforms” blindfolded the journalist and forced her into the double cabin. It remained unclear where they took the journalist.
It was only several hours later, Ms. Bukhari’s husband announced that she has returned back safely. A statement was posted on Twitter on behalf of Bukhari by a relative- Issam Ahmed, who is a journalist with Agence France- Presse. "I would like to express my deep gratitude and love to my friends, family, colleagues & supporters in civil society, journalism, and politics across the board, for coming together in solidarity in concern for my wellbeing last night," she said. She also requested for privacy at this stage.
Journalists and other activists took to Twitter to express their concern over the abduction and they praised the brave journalist.
Journalists and reporters easily targeted
Reporters, Journalists, and activists have always been the prime targets in Pakistan. Some of them have been abducted, tortured; nonetheless many of the victims don’t want to name the kidnappers fearing threat and danger. Another famous activist Raza Khan remains missing since December. A prominent reporter Ahmed Noorani was severely beaten by men who possessed chains, knives and iron Knuckles. Many Pakistan Human rights groups and people, in general, have pointed fingers at the military for its dangerous and oppressive acts.
Meanwhile, The British High Commission in Pakistan has expressed concern over Bukhari’s abduction as she's a dual British and Pakistani citizen. They stated in a tweet "We are very concerned at reports of Gul Bukhari’s abduction last night. As a dual Pakistani-British national, the British High Commission is reaching out with consular assistance."
Gul Bukhari has been a vocal and outspoken critic of the military. She has worked for several media groups in Pakistan. The brave journalist and activist is presently a contributing op-ed writer at ‘The Nation’ and she was all set to appear as an analyst on Waqt TV show ‘2vs2.’