Rights activist Jibran Nasir has been abducted in Karachi, according to his Mansha Pasha. She said his husband went missing on Thursday night. She also added that around 15 heavily armed men in multiple vehicles forcefully took Nasir away.
Pasha continued that Nasir has gone missing since the incident happened near their residence in Karachi’s DHA.
Nasir’s wife, Mansha Pasha, who was present during the ordeal, provided a video statement recounting the incident. She explained that while they were returning from dinner, a white Vigo intercepted their vehicle and almost collided with them. The armed men, carrying pistols, seized her husband against his will. Pasha pleaded with the public to pray for Nasir’s safe return and urged everyone to join in efforts to locate him.
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Nasir, who ran as an independent candidate in the 2018 general elections in Karachi, has been critical of the recent crackdown on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party and legal proceedings involving individuals linked to riots. His work addressing sectarian violence earned him recognition on Foreign Policy Magazine’s list of inspirational Pakistanis in 2013.
Earlier this month, unidentified individuals took into custody journalists Imran Riaz Khan, Aftab Iqbal, and Sami Ibrahim, who support PTI. Although Ibrahim and Iqbal are released, but there is still no information about Imran Riaz Khan.
Pakistan has faced criticism from international press freedom and human rights organizations for violating freedom of speech and failing to protect journalists. Media personnel and activists are often targeted during political crackdowns. The country ranked 150th out of 180 on the 2023 Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
The hashtag #ReleaseJibranNasir quickly started trending on Twitter. From civil society members to journalists , all expressed concern over Nasir’s abduction.
Furthermore, people are also demanding his immediate release.
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#ReleaseJibranNasir
Asma Shirazi shared a video of #ManshaPasha on her Twitter handle.
Jibran nasir picked up last night by unknown people , says mansha pasha wife of @MJibranNasir , no country can allow this lawlessness. #ReleaseJibranNasir pic.twitter.com/rqZabXZQua
— Asma Shirazi (@asmashirazi) June 2, 2023
