Azma Bokhari says Punjab Police didn’t arrest Iqrar-ul-Hassan

LAHORE  –  Punjab Information and Culture Minister Azma Bokhari on Monday clarified that Punjab Police had not arrested television anchor and investigative journalist Iqrar-ul-Hassan, saying the matter was under investigation and his family would be informed as soon as verified information became available. The clarification came amid allegations that unidentified men in plain clothes had entered the DHA Phase 8 residence of Iqrar-ul-Hassan in Lahore in the early hours of Sunday and kidnapped him at gunpoint. They also took away laptops and mobile phones belonging to family members. According to allegations shared by the family, the intruders entered the house without producing arrest or search warrants. One of the family members alleged that two women in uniform had also accompanied the men and that the letters “NCCIA” were written on their shoulders, suggesting their affiliation with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency. In a video statement, Iqrar-ul-Hassan’s son further alleged that police had refused to register a first information report (FIR) regarding the incident, reportedly citing a problem with the Wi-Fi connection. The allegations have raised questions about the identity of the men involved, the circumstances in which they entered the house and the whereabouts of the journalist reportedly taken away. However, the claims regarding the personnel’s identity, the absence of warrants and the alleged refusal to register an FIR had not been independently verified. Azma Bokhari said the government was looking into the matter and assured the family that it would be informed once confirmed information was available. Her statement, however, did not provide details about the whereabouts of the journalist or clarify whether any law enforcement agency had conducted an operation at the residence. Further clarification from the relevant authorities is awaited.

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