Journalist Goes Missing: Media-men Lambast Sindh Police on Failing to Provide Protection

The reports of a senior reporter working for a private television (TV) channel going missing from the Sachal area has passed over 12 hours, with the police still unable to find a clue of the victim’s whereabouts or suspects.

The police’s lethargic reaction to the disappearance of a senior journalist has raised many questions.

The journalism fraternity found fault with the deafening silence of Sindh police that had created an uproar after the alleged kidnapping of its chief recently.

The provincial police cannot be exonerated from its responsibility of giving protection to the citizens and not only VIPs.

As per the victim’s family, the Karachi Police Chief and East DIG have been informed about Ali Imran’s alleged missing. The family has also filed a complaint in the Sachal Police Station on which a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered.

Talib Rizvi, who is the reporter’s brother, told the media that Imran had gone out to a bakery in the locality around 8 pm on Friday.

However, he did not return after long despite that he was supposed to return within an hour.
Sachal Station House Officer (SHO) Haroon Korai termed it an ‘unprecedented’ incident in the jurisdiction. He confirmed receiving complaint from the victim’s family and assured that the police would try to resolve the case at the earliest.

Meanwhile, the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Karachi President Khurram Sher Zaman expressed concerns about the incident as well. He demanded Sindh Police Inspector General (IG) and Sindh Rangers Director General (DG) take notice of it and ensure that the victim returns home at the earliest.

The media-men have also strongly reacted to Imran going suddenly missing within a stone’s throw from his house, blaming the provincial government for its inefficiency in providing protection to the citizens.

Veteran Journalist Kamran Khan had asked the Sindh government to break the silence on disappearance issue. He had emphasized the government to endeavor for the reporter’s recovery as soon as possible.

Disappearance of Syed Ali Imran an outstanding and very hardworking Geo News reporter is a matter of extreme concern and shock. The police should recover him without further delay and the Sindh Govt must break its silence on this horrific incident. pic.twitter.com/oC2BZUHgzv

— Kamran Khan (@AajKamranKhan) October 24, 2020

Subsequently, after remaining out of sight for over 12 hours, Sindh Government Spokesperson Murtaza Wahab tweeted that the Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had taken notice of senior reporter’s disappearance.

He vowed to recover the victim soon.

CM Sindh has taken notice & spoken to IG Sindh. The matter is being investigated. Will keep u informed about the progress. Insha’Allah all efforts will be made for his recovery https://t.co/b6egpNuiRj

— Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui (@murtazawahab1) October 24, 2020