ISLAMABAD: A renowned Pakistani television journalist who went missing last week, reportedly because of his public support for former Prime Minister Imran Khan, was released by his captors early Tuesday, according to his family and employer.
Ali Raza, Sami Abrahim’s brother, confirmed his release on Twitter. In a news announcement, BOL TV announced his release.
According to his family and BOL TV, where Abrahim works, Abrahim went missing Thursday when eight people in four vehicles stopped his car on his way home from work in Islamabad.
Although no one has claimed responsibility for Abrahim’s kidnapping, it is commonly assumed that he is being kept by the country’s security agencies, which are renowned for kidnapping, harassing, and torturing journalists.
Abrahim has always been vocal in his opposition to Khan’s replacement, Premier Shahbaz Sharif. Khan, a professional cricketer turned Islamist politician, served from 2018 to 2022 before being deposed in a no-confidence vote in Parliament last year.
Imran Riaz, another pro-Khan TV journalist, went missing earlier this month and has yet to be found.
Source: AP