Sami Abrahim, a well-known television journalist in Pakistan, has returned home after being missing for a week. His disappearance was reportedly linked to his public support for former prime minister Imran Khan. Both his family and his employer, BOL TV, confirmed his release.
Ali Raza, Sami Abrahim’s brother, took to Twitter to announce his brother’s safe return, and BOL TV also made a news announcement confirming the journalist’s release. Abrahim went missing when a group of eight individuals in four vehicles intercepted his car while he was on his way home from work in Islamabad.
According to his family, he was taken away by the unidentified individuals, but no group claimed responsibility for the abduction. However, there were reports suggesting that the journalist was being held by Pakistan’s security agencies.
Sami Abrahim has been a vocal critic of Shahbaz Sharif, the successor of Imran Khan’s government. Imran Khan served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022 but was ousted through a no-confidence vote in Parliament last year.
In a separate incident earlier this month, another journalist supportive of Imran Khan, Imran Riaz, also went missing and has yet to be released. The circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain unclear.
The incidents of journalists going missing or facing intimidation in Pakistan have raised concerns about press freedom and the safety of media professionals in the country. The government and relevant authorities are expected to address these issues and ensure the protection of journalists and their right to express their opinions without fear of reprisal.
