JournalismPakistan.com
May 13, 2023

ISLAMABAD— The father of prominent journalist and vlogger Imran Riaz Khan has made an impassioned plea to the courts to let him know the whereabouts of his son, who was arrested the other day in Sialkot.

In a video message, Khan's father, Asim Riaz, said that he told his children to speak the truth. "The fault is entirely mine, and I should be hanged. I cannot tell my son not to speak the truth," he said.

Imran Riaz (pictured) was arrested just as he was leaving the country. Some reports circulating on social media suggest that he is being tortured in custody and is facing breathing difficulties.

The Pakistani authorities have also arrested another prominent journalist, Aftab Iqbal. Both Aftab Iqbal and Imran Riaz are pro-PTI and are reportedly being punished for their vocal support for former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

The arrest of Imran has sparked widespread condemnation from journalists, human rights activists, and the public. Many have called for his immediate release and for an end to the crackdown on dissent in Pakistan. Critics say that the arrests are politically motivated.